Alcohol, heart disease, and cancer are interconnected health problems and new research outcomes have been released that explore their relationship.
The tale of alcohol has always been about contradictions. The ancient medical practice of bleeding a patient dry was an effective way to relieve the patient. And that was one of the uses of bleeding. So, that doctor or physician would use it very sparingly. But the medical field’s idea of the healing properties of wine has changed very little since then. Until now, the health risks associated with alcoholic beverages were to some extent considered each individual’s personal or even cultural choice. Slowly but surely, however, the line between risk and safety is no longer that clear-cut, and the consumption of alcohol—no matter how moderate—in the form of wine, beer, or liquor has now been proven to increase the probability of suffering from both heart-related issues and cancer.
Over the years, drinking very little or no alcohol was thought to be a particular plus point especially when it comes to the booze-free wine drinkers who had been followed for cardiovascular studies. The latest and most rigorous research, however, has shown that many of the supposed advantages were in fact an artifact due to comparing alcohol consumers and non-drinkers. The drugs finally have consent of the medical community; alcohol causes hypertension, creates chaotic electrical activities in the heart—the technical term would be arrhythmias—dilates heart muscles, and thus increases the probability of stroke and heart failure along with aging. The concomitant dangers of drinking heavily or often would undoubtedly even teeter on the brink of having fatal consequences.
The link between cancer and alcohol is now more evident than ever. On the basis of the set classification of health authorities, the intake of alcohol is definitely a carcinogen. It has a very close relationship with the cancers of the breast, liver, mouth, throat, esophagus, and colon. Additionally, the information that has been given is extremely surprising in that it identifies the moderate consumption of alcohol as a significant contributor to cancer. To give an instance, by having one drink daily, women increase their own chances of getting breast cancer than those who do not drink at all.
The consumption of alcohol leads to the production of a toxic metabolite called acetaldehyde. The substance is highly damaging to DNA and manipulates the cell repair process in an unfavorable way. In addition to that, the drug increases the risk of cancer through its actions of fostering inflammation and raising the levels of hormones classified as carcinogenic.
As consciousness increases, health organizations are re-evaluating their drinking instructions that have been in place for a long time. A number of specialists have come to the conclusion that there is no safe level of alcohol at all, if cancer risk is the main concern.
The message that has to be taken is quite evident: cutting down on alcohol or not drinking at all will greatly decrease the chance of getting seriously ill. What used to be promoted as a harmless vice is now more and more viewed as a huge health issue for the population.