When it comes to alcohol and health, the automatic connection is the liver. The liver, in fact, plays an important function in detoxifying and removing alcohol from your blood through the process of oxidation. Once the liver has done it's work, alcohol becomes water and carbon dioxide.
If alcohol accumulates in the system, then it becomes a problem. If you consume too much alcohol fro your liver to process, the alcohol starts to damage the body, starting with the liver. A condition called "fatty liver", an early stage of alcoholic liver disease develops in about 90% of people who drink more than 2 ounces of alcohol per day. Continued alcohol consumption can lead to liver fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis.
Although cirrhosis cannot be reversed, fatty liver can be by abstaining from alcohol for about 4 to 6 weeks.
Liver disease isn't the only potential health affect from alcohol. Drinking too much can also keep your body from performing needed functions. Once you consume alcohol, your body's priority is metabolizing the alcohol, above processing anything else.
Too much alcohol causes bacteria to grow in your gut, which can eventually go through the intestinal wall into the liver, also leading to liver damage.
Your heart can become weak and you can develop high blood pressure from alcohol. Pancreatitis, cancer risk and a weakened immune system are also health risks of consuming too much alcohol. Other side effects such as weight gain, poor sleep and migraines can also be a result of alcohol.
If you are healthy, you don't have to avoid alcohol, but it is recommended to not drink every day. When you do drink, limit your consumption. If you are not healthy or have any health concerns, it is recommended to discuss alcohol consumption with your physician.
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