Alcohol consumption has been linked to numerous short-term and chronic health issues, including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and cancer. Prolonged alcohol consumption can weaken the immune system, cause memory issues, and lead to brain disorders. Both alcohol and its metabolite acetaldehyde are classified as Group 1 carcinogens or cancer-causing agents.
Moreover, excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, breast, bowel, and liver. One of the ways that alcohol harms the body is by causing gut health issues. Excessive alcohol consumption can upset the equilibrium of microorganisms in the gut microbiome, resulting in the proliferation of harmful bacteria over beneficial ones. This, in turn, may cause digestive issues like bloating, gas, leaky gut, loose motions, and other health concerns.
Dr. Amol Dahale, Consultant, Gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital, Baner-Pune, explains that the gut microbiome is home to a vast ecosystem of bacteria and other microorganisms essential to overall well-being.
Alcohol can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria while reducing the levels of beneficial bacteria. This imbalance may lead to a range of digestive issues, that include gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Additionally, alcohol consumption can lead to increased intestinal permeability or ‘leaky gut,’ where toxins, bacteria, and other harmful substances can leak into the bloodstream, leading to chronic inflammation.
Dr. Dahale lists five ways that alcohol can affect gut health:
Leaky gut
Alcohol consumption can lead to increased intestinal permeability or ‘leaky gut,’ causing the lining of the gut to become more permeable. This can allow toxins, bacteria, and other harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream, leading to chronic inflammation, which has been linked to autoimmune diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Gastritis
Alcohol abuse can destroy the stomach’s lining, leading to gastritis. This illness can cause rapid, frequent, and persistent symptoms.
Stomach cancer
Too much consumption of alcohol may increase the risk of stomach cancer, which can also lead to colorectal cancer.
Liver failure
In the worst-case scenario, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver failure and scarring. Moreover, alcohol decreases the liver’s capacity for healthy cell growth and regeneration.
Damage to the pancreas
Alcohol consumption is one of the two main factors contributing to pancreatic inflammation known as acute pancreatitis.
Although alcohol consumption can have notable adverse effects on gut health, it is possible to lessen these effects through various means. One of the most effective ways is to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption altogether.
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