Octsober! What Effects Alcohol Has on the Human Body

We are all aware of the symptoms we experience while we’re drinking eg delayed reflexes, memory loss, lack of coordination and the symptoms of a hangover eg thirst, headache, nausea and/or vomiting and fatigue.

Here are some other effects alcohol has on the body and many reasons to avoid drinking altogether or only have a maximum of 2 glasses a day, trying to have at least 5 days with no alcohol – 7 is even better!

Alcohol converts to fat in our body.
95% of alcohol is metabolised by the liver taking priority over other functions eg fat metabolism slows down – fat can actually build up in the liver.
Chronic use can scar, shrink or swell the liver leading to other complications eg haemorrhoids, varicose veins or more serious liver disease (hepatitis or cirrhosis). Luckily the liver will regenerate itself once drinking has stopped.
Causes gastrointestinal problems such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, abdominal pain, gastritis, deficiency of the very important hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes and even gallstones or gallbladder disease.
Chronic alcohol use can cause nervous system disorders such as premature senility and nerve inflammation (polyneuritis).
Damage to heart and blood vessels can occur which can result in congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias or an enlarged heart.
Impaired carbohydrate metabolism can produce hypoglycaemia and diabetes. Alcohol is a simple sugar which is rapidly absorbed and tends to weaken glucose tolerance with chronic use resulting in mood swings, depression and anxiety.
Alcohol impacts on our nutritional status by either impairing the absorption of necessary nutrients or depleting the stores we already have. Possible nutrient deficiency affects include osteoporosis and anaemia.
Can cause impotence or reduce sexual performance while also reducing testosterone levels in men.
Alcohol use has been implicated in cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, pancreas and breast.
Other general health issues related to alcohol include red swollen nose, dilated blood vessels, gout, yeast infections, PMS and weakened immune system.