Alcohol consumption can have many long-term health consequences, yet there are no meaningful warnings about it.
By ALAN FREISHTAT
Surgeons general of the United States don’t usually make headlines. However, some have, like Dr. Luther Terry, who told the world in 1964 that it has been absolutely proven that cigarettes are harmful to your health and will kill you.
Others like Dr. C. Everett Koop became prominent in the early 80’s for continuing the battle against tobacco use and combating AIDS, a new disease at the time.
Six months ago, in his final days serving as surgeon general for the Biden administration, Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory regarding the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk.
The advisory highlights that alcohol is a significant, yet often overlooked risk factor for several types of cancer. The advisory emphasizes the established link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of at least seven cancers: breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver, mouth, throat, and larynx. This made big news for a day or two, but then seemed to fall by the wayside.
Let’s take a look at the studies and see if there’s room to consume and enjoy small amounts of alcohol without doing damage.
The dangers of alcohol consumption
Over two years ago, I wrote an article on the dangers of alcohol consumption (“Drink safely this Purim to avoid a trip to the ER,” March 4, 2023, jpost.com). In that article, I talked about a personal experience of resuscitating a young lady who had alcohol overdosed and ceased breathing after aspirating vomit.
“In the short term, drowsiness, a sense of euphoria, mood changes, impulsive behavior, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, head pain, changes perception, loss of coordination, trouble focusing and even loss of consciousness or gaps in memory are among the symptoms one can experience,” I wrote.
“In the long term, consequences of alcohol result in persistent changes in mood including anxiety, insomnia, and a weakened immune system – all of which can lead to frequent illness – changes in libido and changes in appetite and weight. In addition, problems with memory and concentration can become common and maintaining relationships and inability to focus are also common.”
As most people know, the damage that alcohol does to the liver can end in cirrhosis (liver disease), or even needing a liver transplant or getting liver cancer.
As I have mentioned many times, the evolution of health science, particularly in the field of nutrition and lifestyle, moves quickly. What was “true” yesterday may not be true today. A perfect example is the perpetuated myth that drinking alcohol is heart healthy.
People point out the “French Paradox” – French people have a relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease (compared with other Western societies) despite consuming a diet high in saturated fats, which are typically associated with an increased risk of heart disease. They told us it’s the red wine that did the trick.
Turns out that wasn’t true – it was the above-average consumption of vegetables and fruits in the diet. It seems that there is absolutely no benefit to alcohol consumption. Moderation? No – it seems that any amount can damage your health in one way or another. Obviously, the more one drinks, the greater the risk.
As it turns out, alcohol is not heart healthy, and alcohol consumption, particularly excessive or binge drinking, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, including high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). According to Johns Hopkins University, excessive drinking can also contribute to cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle. If you think a glass of wine daily is okay, think again.
In a study published a year ago, women who reported drinking eight or more alcoholic beverages per week were significantly more likely to develop coronary heart disease than those who drank less, according to Kaiser Permanente research published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology. That was based on four ounces (112 ml.) of wine per glass. Most drink more than that.
Not only did former surgeon general Murthy issue his warning half a year ago, but the EU has now launched a new coalition of health organizations and experts to advocate for the reduction of alcohol-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths there. The World Health Organization European Region has the heaviest alcohol consumption of all regions in the world. This results in significant reduction in life expectancy, especially among men.
