"Alcohol has a domino effect," said Shivendra Shukla, professor in the Department of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Missouri. "Once it enters the body, there are multiple pathways through which it can have a detrimental effect. It's like a cluster bomb. The consequences can be very harmful."
Despite being legal in most countries, alcohol is "one of the most addictive substances consumed worldwide," says the United States. The Addiction Centersaid: Harmful use of alcohol kills more than 3 million people each year.
According to the NHS website, "the types of ailments that can develop after drinking 14 units or more per week regularly for 10 to 20 years" include mouth, throat, , including breast cancer. heart disease; liver disease; and damage to the nervous system.
Long-term heavy drinking is also associated with increased mental health problems, and research confirms a strong link between alcohol abuse and self-harm.
Brain damage is another potential risk of drinking more than the recommended limit. In his 2021 study, in which University of Oxford researchers studied data from more than 25,000 middle-aged adults, "Even moderate intake is more is also associated with widespread adverse brain effects.”
Scholars reported that "no brain-safe amounts of alcohol were found," and advised that "current 'low-risk' drinking guidelines need to be reconsidered."
A glass of wine a day has long been claimed to have health benefits, but recent evidence seems to suggest otherwise.
According to the NHS website, "the old view that some alcohol is good for the heart has been rectified." The protective effects of moderate drinking are not as strong as previously thought.
As "new evidence for the health hazards of regular drinking" emerged, the notion of a "safe" level of drinking was replaced by "low-risk" alcohol consumption. said the health service.
What is a 'low risk' level of drinking?
According to the latest guidelines from the UK Chief Medical Officer, men and Both women should drink no more than 14 units per week on a regular basis. This equates to " 6 pints of medium-strength beer or 6 glasses (175ml) of medium-strength wine," says Drinkaware. says.
Charities advocate weekly 'no alcohol days' to encourage people to avoid binge drinking. Tips for keeping "one-time drinking" at "low levels" include "drinking slowly, drinking with food, alternating with water."
Official guidelines recommend that women who are or may be pregnant should avoid alcohol altogether to minimize the potential risks to their baby. increase.
Does "moderate" drinking have any health benefits?
benefits of", including increased levels of "good cholesterol" and a reduced risk of "all-cause mortality" eat well
According to the Mayo Clinic Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of developing heart disease and death. It may reduce the risk of ischemic stroke (when an artery to the brain is narrowed or blocked and blood flow is greatly reduced); it may also reduce the risk of diabetes.
However, the guidance on what levels of alcohol are "safe" has changed. In 2020, theAmerican Dietary GuidelinesExpert Advisory Panel recommended lowering her recommended daily limit for U.S. men to her 1 drink, as it is for women. did.
What are the dangers of overdrinking?
While experts disagree about the benefits of Healthlinesaid.
