Alcohol use is woven into the fabric of so many cultures all over the world, and with increased awareness about the possible effects that it has on health, more and more people question how it fits into their lives. Gracie Gordon reports for NPR on what’s known about the health effects of drinking alcohol, as greater numbers of people are engaging in health-conscious behaviors or taking part in sober-curious movements. Whether you drink once in a while or are thinking about cutting back, here are the most important scientific findings. Therefore, concerning recent studies and research findings, let us proceed to discuss the health implications of alcohol.
What Happens When You Drink Alcohol?
The consumption of alcohol sets off several physiological events in our system. From its effect on the brain’s reward system to a surge in digestive issues, the effects of consumption go deep. However, with the emerging interest in health and fitness, many have begun to wonder what happens to our bodies when we drink and more importantly, when we make a habit. This article looks at the latest science regarding the health effects of alcohol through a showcase of its short- and long-term effects.
Explore the latest scientific insights on alcohol’s health impacts, from weight gain and sleep disruption to increased cancer and cardiovascular risks. Learn how moderation and informed choices can help protect your health.
Study 1: Alcohol and Satiety, Food Intake, and Weight Gain
Has it ever occurred to you that the more you drink alcohol, the hungrier you get, hence, reaching out for snacks at night, or eating much more? The reason for this being so simple is that alcohol does not stem hunger the way food does. Some studies reveal that alcohol increases the intake of calories without satiety. A narrative review recently considered several studies from PubMed regarding the link between alcohol intake, food intake, and weight gain.
Key Findings:
- Alcohol weakens satiety signals: Consuming alcohol may cause an increase in calorie intake without the feeling of fullness, hence the danger of overeating.
- Higher calorie intake: Studies have demonstrated that individuals who consume alcohol tend to eat more calories in total compared to abstainers.
- Snacking and reduced appetite control: Participants with the consumption of alcohol exhibited a greater urge to snack and were less satisfied following snacking compared to those who had non-alcoholic drinks.
The inference is that alcohol consumption may result in weight gain by elevating the total consumption of calories through alcohol and food. Unless this additional intake of calories is offset by increased levels of exercise or lowered food intake, over time alcohol can result in weight gain.
Study 2: Alcohol and Sleep Quality
Good sleep is critical to health, but alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycles. Recently, researchers conducted a study with 31 men and women to know how alcohol affects sleep. Either the placebo or an alcoholic drink was given to the participants, followed by the continuous monitoring of their sleep overnight.
Key Findings:
- Reduced sleep quality: Total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and total time spent in REM sleep were significantly reduced after alcohol consumption compared with the placebo group.
- Increased heart rate: In those who received alcohol, nocturnal heart rate was higher, disrupting restful sleep.
These results are important in that sleep bears relevance to brain activity, immune health, and stress management. Poor quality sleep, a result of alcohol, snowballs in their mental and physical well-being.
Study 3: Alcohol and Cancer Risk
Alcohol has been associated with an increased risk of cancer for quite a long period. A recent population-based study estimated the fraction of new cancer cases attributable to alcohol consumption.
Key Findings:
- Alcohol-attributable global cancer cases: The estimates put the figure at 4.1% of the new cancer cases worldwide related to alcohol consumption.
- More consumption risk: The risk of cancer was reported to increase with the amount of alcohol consumed.
- More risk in males: About three-quarters of all alcohol-attributable cases of cancer occur in males.
- Common sites of cancers: The common sites of cancers were the esophagus, liver, and, in females, the breast.
This is also epitomized in studies explaining how alcohol consumption adds to the risk of cancer. It goes on to add that a global reduction in alcohol intake could greatly cut the number of cases of alcohol-related cancers.
Study 4: Alcohol and Blood Pressure
Your heart health is related to your blood pressure, and alcohol increases it, which, after some time, leads to chronic cardiovascular diseases. A meta-analysis of studies performed before May 2023 was conducted to find the association of alcohol consumption with blood pressure.
Key Findings:
- Increased systolic blood pressure: Alcohol consumption was related to increased systolic blood pressure for both men and women. Systolic blood pressure is the higher number in a blood pressure reading and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
- Diastolic blood pressure: In men, the consumption of alcohol was also associated with an increase in diastolic blood pressure. In women, even moderate consumption of drink a day led to increased diastolic blood pressure.
These studies confirm that if one consumes alcohol-even in moderate amounts-one should be concerned about blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.
Study 5: Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Several studies indicate that light drinking has little, if any, impact on cardiovascular disease, though heavier drinking can cause serious heart problems. The UK Biobank’s cohort study of 371,463 participants explored the association.
Key Findings:
1. Light drinking poses a minimal risk: In a study, it was determined that light drinking of alcohol increased the cardiovascular risk marginally.
2. Heavy drinking carries significant risk: The risk of cardiovascular disease increases substantially with heavier drinking.
To protect your heart, it’s best to drink in moderation or abstain from alcohol altogether. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Study 6: Alcohol and Male Infertility
The effects of alcohol can also affect fertility, especially in males. A critical review of the literature indicated that chronic alcohol consumption could lower semen quality and, consequently, affect male fertility.
Key Findings:
1. Poor semen quality: Chronic alcohol consumption impairs male fertility and lowers the chances of conception.
2. Infertility is a common problem: One in six couples suffers from infertility, with one-third of these cases related to problems in male reproduction.
A reduction in alcohol consumption would have salutary fertility effects in many childless couples.
Moderation Matters:
Weight gain, sleep disorders, higher risk of cancer development, and cardiovascular diseases are some of the health effects alcohol causes to our bodies. These may not occur to all people and might be harmless if done in moderation, but knowing how alcohol affects our bodies makes us more capable of making conscious decisions about its consumption. Knowledge will help in make better choices for our future health.