Is Alcohol Good for You?

Image Citation: (9)

Written by Lucas Shen '27

Edited by Thomas Wang '26

Alcohol has been a foundational cornerstone in human life for thousands of years; some archeologists even think that the pursuit of the chemical motivated our transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers (1). We are all familiar with the adverse health effects of alcohol, short and long-term. However, what may be more surprising are findings that moderate alcohol consumption may also have several health benefits.

Many of alcohol’s adverse health effects are well known; changes in mood and behavior, impaired coordination, and clear thinking. Through 2020-2021, alcohol was responsible for 178,000 deaths in the U.S, 117,000 due to chronic conditions caused from long-term alcohol use while motor accidents and suicide accounted for the other third. Drinking too much can lead to cardiomyopathy, which is a disease that affects heart muscle, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. This increases the risk of stroke and high blood pressure, and could cause arrhythmias—an irregular heart beat (2). The liver, which is responsible for breaking down ingested alcohol, is also affected from heavy consumption of alcohol. Most alcohol (or more specifically ethanol) is oxidized in the liver through a two step enzymatic pathway using alcohol dehydrogenase and cytochrome p450. However, chemical interactions from the byproducts of these reactions can result in the formation of harmful chemicals (adducts) which can scar the liver (3). Problems such as steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis can be results of heavy drinking. Additionally, there is scientific consensus that drinking alcohol is correlated with several types of cancers. Mortality from cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, and liver were all higher in men and women who reported at least one drink daily compared to nondrinkers.

Interestingly, findings have also shown that moderate alcohol consumption may have several positive health benefits, such as a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. These findings have a reasonable biological explanation; moderate levels of alcohol raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration and function (4). HDL cholesterol can prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which normally can cause calcification, inflammation, and clotting of the blood (5). More than 100 studies have shown that moderate or light drinking was correlated with a reduced 25-40% risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, sudden cardiac death, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, moderate alcohol consumption has been linked with “better sensitivity to insulin…improvements in factors that influence blood clotting, such as tissue type plasminogen activator, fibrinogen, clotting factor VII, and von Willebrand factor” (4). Several studies examining the effects of increased insulin sensitivity show that moderate drinkers have a lower risk of developing diabetes compared to non-drinkers. Insulin is a hormone which signals to let sugar enter your body cells, reducing blood-sugar levels, and diabetes can result in unregulated blood sugar levels (6). Even lower risks of dementia, cognitive decline, and gallstone development have been supported by several studies (7).

It is important to note that these benefits are only exclusive to moderate drinking habits; heavy drinkers saw a higher risk of heart disease, and the same positive health benefits enjoyed by moderate drinkers are not shared with heavy drinkers. Although a concrete definition of “moderate drinking” has not been widely established, most studies defined it as less than 1-2 drinks per day for men, and less than 1 drink per day for women. It should be noted that the time duration between drinks matters, consuming 7 drinks one day a week is much different from having a drink per day (8).

The decision to drink, and the cost-benefit analysis that comes with it is ultimately up to the individual. Although there have been many findings detailing how moderate alcohol consumption reduces risks of several diseases, alcohol consumption also shows an increased risk of cancer and liver damage among many other adverse health effects. We all know how quickly drinking can spiral out of control, and should subsequently be honest with our ability to self-regulate. While moderate alcohol consumption may offer some health benefits, it’s crucial to weigh these potential gains against the known risks, keeping personal limits and health goals in mind to make the best choice for our long-term health.

References

The Triple Helix

Brown University

Is Alcohol Good for You?

Recent Posts

Comentarios

The Triple Helix