The risks associated with
alcohol consumption
have always been under the scanner. Alcohol is defined as a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance.
Alcohol is classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, because it causes seven different types of cancer. The risk of developing cancer increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed.
Is a light drink healthy?
The burden of alcohol on human health is so tremendous that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the risk starts from the first drop of alcohol.
Can thyroid issues affect your eyes?
"When it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health," the WHO says. "Currently available evidence cannot indicate the existence of a threshold at which the carcinogenic effects of alcohol “switch on” and start to manifest in the human body," the UN health agency says.
“We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn’t matter how much you drink – the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. The only thing that we can say for sure is that the more you drink, the more harmful it is – or, in other words, the less you drink, the safer it is,” explains Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, acting Unit Lead for Noncommunicable Disease Management and Regional Advisor for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Health risks associated with alcohol
Alcohol consumption, when excessive or chronic, poses significant health risks across various bodily systems. Prolonged heavy drinking can lead to liver damage, including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. These conditions can progress to liver failure and increase the risk of liver cancer.
Alcohol abuse
can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, especially in the respiratory system. Chronic alcohol use is also linked to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), and increased risk of stroke.
Alcohol affects the brain and nervous system, causing impairments in cognitive functions, memory loss, and potentially leading to neurological disorders such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Gastrointestinal issues are also common, including gastritis, pancreatitis, and increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers.
Alcohol use is also associated with
mental health
problems like depression and anxiety disorders. Additionally, it can lead to social and behavioral issues, including impaired judgment, risky behaviors, and addiction.
Which countries need to take this warning seriously?
Lithuania has consistently topped global rankings for alcohol consumption per capita. The consumption is largely driven by vodka and beer, deeply rooted in cultural and social traditions.
Among Asians, South Korea is a prolific drinker. As per reports, South Koreans on an average drink 10.9 litres of alcohol a year. Vietnam is second to South Korea, followed by Thailand, Mongolia and China.
On an average, an Indian consume 4.5 litres of alcohol in a year.
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