For a long time, the role of alcohol has developed a complex and contradictory relationship between health and disease.
On the one hand, certain studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may be beneficial for cardiovascular health; On the other hand, there is growing evidence of a strong link between alcohol consumption and cancer.
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The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen because there is ample evidence that alcohol consumption is directly linked to the development of a variety of cancers.
According to the study, about 740,000 new cases of cancer worldwide in 2020 were related to alcohol consumption, with the incidence of esophageal cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer being particularly significant.
Esophageal cancer, one of the deadliest cancers of the digestive system, has a particularly high incidence in people who drink alcohol.
The alcohol metabolite acetaldehyde has a direct toxic effect on esophageal epithelial cells, and long-term alcohol consumption can cause DNA damage to esophageal cells, thereby increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
In addition, alcohol can also increase the concentration of other carcinogens in the esophagus, such as nicotine in tobacco, which are more likely to penetrate the cells of the esophagus under the influence of alcohol, and then cause cancer.
Liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, and alcohol consumption is one of the main risk factors. The liver bears the main burden in the process of alcohol metabolism, and long-term excessive alcohol consumption can lead to continuous damage to liver cells, which can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Alcohol can also affect the liver's detoxification function and reduce the liver's ability to remove other carcinogens, thereby increasing the risk of liver cancer.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and studies have shown that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer by affecting hormone levels in the body, particularly the metabolism of estrogen. Alcohol may also contribute to carcinogenesis through oxidative stress, which can lead to DNA damage to breast cells.
It is important to note that the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk is not linear, i.e., the risk does not simply increase with the amount of alcohol consumed.
Alcohol consumption and cancer
China's drinking culture has a long history, but in recent years, the significant increase in per capita alcohol consumption has attracted widespread attention.
The increase in alcohol consumption in China is closely related to economic development, social changes and cultural practices. With the rapid growth of the economy and the improvement of people's living standards, drinking alcohol has become an indispensable part of social and business activities.
The association between this increase and the rise in cancer incidence is particularly worrisome. Among them, the incidence of esophageal cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer is particularly prominent in people who drink alcohol.
In East Asia, due to genetic factors, such as the high frequency of ALDH22 gene mutations, the metabolism of acetaldehyde in the body after drinking alcohol slows down, increasing the risk of cancer.
It is estimated that 28%~45% of the East Asian population is a carrier of ALDH22 gene mutations.
The ALDH22 gene mutation causes the decrease in acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activity, which causes acetaldehyde to accumulate in the body after drinking, and adverse reactions such as flushing and tachycardia occur. The long-term accumulation of acetaldehyde causes damage to DNA and increases the risk of cancer.
Whether drinking alcohol can prevent tumors
Regarding the impact of alcohol consumption on cancer risk, there is growing evidence that it is not all smooth sailing.
The World Health Organization's recommendations make it clear that daily alcohol intake should be kept within a certain range to avoid increasing the risk of cancer. However, even under this quantitative standard, drinking alcohol may still increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
There has long been a belief in the health benefits of drinking alcohol in moderation, but research published in The Lancet has turned this perception on its head.
The report states that even moderate alcohol consumption may increase the risk of cancer. This finding is a profound reminder that alcohol consumption must be approached with caution.
In the case of Chinese men, a prospective study at Peking University Cancer Hospital revealed an association between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of multiple cancers.
A 10-year follow-up of more than 512,000 adults showed that alcohol consumption was significantly associated with the risk of cancers such as esophageal, oral and laryngeal cancer, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer.
This discovery has not only attracted widespread attention from the academic community, but also reminded the public that drinking is not a carefree business.
How does alcohol increase cancer risk? Studies have shown that acetaldehyde, one of the metabolites of alcohol, is able to directly damage DNA and hinder the normal repair process of cells, thereby increasing the likelihood of cancer.
Alcohol is also able to increase estrogen levels in the body, which is strongly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
A study from Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University also pointed out that there is a synergistic effect between smoking and alcohol consumption on the increased risk of malignant tumors, which further reinforces the adverse effects of alcohol consumption on cancer risk.
Based on the above research, it is not difficult to conclude that alcohol consumption does not prevent cancer, but may increase the risk of cancer.
Therefore, for the sake of health, reducing alcohol intake, or even abstaining from alcohol altogether, has become an important strategy to reduce the risk of cancer.
This conclusion has important implications for public health policymakers and healthcare professionals who need to actively promote healthy lifestyles, including limiting alcohol consumption.
Alcohol consumption is not risk-free, but is strongly associated with an increased risk of many types of cancer. Therefore, for the sake of their own health, limiting alcohol intake and staying away from the threat of cancer is a life principle that everyone should keep in mind.
Affects nervous system and cognitive function
The harm of long-term alcohol abuse to human health is far-reaching and multifaceted, especially the impact on the nervous system and cognitive function cannot be ignored.
Alcohol is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and directly affect the activity of nerve cells in the brain. Alcohol can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters and reduce the efficiency of nerve signals, which in turn leads to a decline in cognitive function.
Alcohol slows nerve conduction velocities, making nerve signaling inefficient. This is because alcohol inhibits the release of neurotransmitters, which interferes with the transmission of nerve impulses, resulting in prolonged reaction times and decreased coordination.
Long-term heavy alcohol consumption can cause structural and functional damage to nerve cells, and the toxicity of alcohol directly damages nerve cells. This damage manifests itself as damage to cell membranes, atrophy of neurons, and death, which leads to damage and dysfunction of the nervous system.
Alcohol abuse can also lead to a decline in cognitive function. Long-term alcohol consumption can damage the cerebral cortex, affecting higher cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and thinking skills.
For example, alcohol has a particularly severe effect on the hippocampus, which is closely related to learning and memory.
Studies have shown that participants who consume 30 units of alcohol per week have the highest risk of hippocampal atrophy, which is 5.8 times higher than that of non-drinkers, and even moderate drinkers have a 3.4 times higher risk of hippocampal atrophy than non-drinkers.
In addition to the impact on an individual's health, long-term alcohol abuse can also be a burden on society. Cognitive decline can affect an individual's work performance and social communication skills, increase the risk of accidents, and may even lead to family breakdowns and social problems.
The medical expenses and social resource consumption of alcoholics are also social problems that cannot be ignored.
It is important to note that the damage to the nervous system caused by alcohol is not irreversible. After quitting alcohol, some functions of the brain can be partially restored.
Some of the damage caused by long-term alcohol abuse can be permanent, especially in older people, and alcohol abuse increases the risk of dementia and other neurological diseases.
Therefore, raising public awareness of the dangers of alcoholism, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and reducing alcohol consumption are of great significance for the prevention of neurological diseases and the protection of cognitive function.
Aggravate mental health problems
The impact of long-term alcohol abuse on mental health is profound and widespread, and it may have a worsening effect on pre-existing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, as well as the occurrence of more serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.
Alcohol, as a central nervous system depressant, has the ability to alter the brain's chemical balance and neurotransmitter activity, which in turn affects mood and behavior.
Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health problems, and their formation is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and personal life experiences.
Alcohol abuse may exacerbate these problems because alcohol interferes with the normal activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, chemicals that play an important role in regulating mood and stress responses.
In addition, alcohol is also able to reduce the level of nerve growth factor in the brain, which can lead to neuronal damage and changes in brain structure.
In addition, researchers have also focused on the relationship between alcoholism and schizophrenia.
The exact cause of schizophrenia as a complex mental disorder is not fully understood, but studies have shown that genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors may play a role in the pathogenesis.
Alcohol may increase the risk of schizophrenia by affecting the brain's dopamine system. Studies have suggested that a history of alcohol use may increase the risk of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation in men with chronic schizophrenia.
Mendelian randomization analysis also showed a causal relationship between schizophrenia and alcohol dependence.
Therefore, the negative impact of alcohol abuse on mental health cannot be ignored. Not only may it exacerbate pre-existing problems such as depression and anxiety, but it may also increase the risk of more serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.
These findings highlight the importance of preventing alcohol abuse and providing effective treatment to protect an individual's mental health and improve their quality of life.
While moderate alcohol consumption may have a positive impact on certain health indicators, long-term heavy drinking is harmful to health, especially when it comes to increasing the risk of mental illness.
Therefore, we should raise public awareness of the risks of alcohol abuse and promote healthier life choices through education and public health initiatives.
References are as follows:
[1] International Agency for Research on Cancer: More than 740,000 new cancer cases were associated with alcohol use in 2020
[2] A Canadian study showed that some cancers were linked to alcohol consumption
[3] The role of ALDH2 in tumorigenesis and progression: targeting ALDH2 as a potential cancer treatment
[4] Lancet (IF=79) and other articles have been published in a row! Don't drink alcohol, don't drink alcohol, don't drink alcohol, drinking alcohol can easily cause esophageal cancer, liver cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases
[5] A prospective study on the incidence of alcohol consumption and cancer in Chinese people
[6] Causal association between mental illness and alcohol consumption: a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis