10 Head To Toe Effects Of Alcohol

10 Head To Toe Effects Of Alcohol

You can avoid health complications of heavy alcohol consumption on the body and promote long-term health and wellness by drinking in moderation, if at all and sticking to the guidelines!

1. Brain
   Alcohol slows down the brain’s communication pathways, making it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Alcohol abuse often leads to learning and memory problems, as well as depression and anxiety.
2. Heart
   Heavy drinking, especially binge drinking, is a known risk factor for cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of heart muscles), arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), stroke and high blood pressure.
3. Liver
   Those who drink heavily for a long time can develop disease such as liver inflammation or severe liver scarring. In fact more than 2 million Americans suffer from alcohol-related liver disease.
4. Pancreas
   Pancreatitis, caused when the blood vessels in the pancreas become inflamed, can be a side effect of drinking regularly. Pancreatitis may also trigger the onset of Type 2 diabetes in those that consume high levels of alcohol.
5. Cancer
   Habitual alcohol consumption is linked to increased consumption is linked to increased risk for developing certain cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver and breast.
6. Immune System
   Chronic alcohol use reduces the body’s ability to effectively fight off harmful bacteria, making the body more susceptible to disease like pneumonia and tuberculosis
7.  Bones
   Alcohol acts as a diuretic, flushing calcium from healthy bones. Heavy drinking can accelerate the rate of bone deterioration and increase the risk for bone fracture and osteoporosis.
8. Central Nervous System
   When alcohol is consumed heavily over time, it can cause permanent cell damage in the form of neuropathy, which is felt as weakness, burning, pain and numbness of the hands and feet.
9. Weight Gain
   Drinking alcohol impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins from food and slows down metabolic function – all of which can contribute to weight gain.
10. Stomach
    Alcohol can irritate and inflame the stomach lining, which can lead to stomach ulcers and  bleeding. Severe tearing in the stomach may also lead to anemia.