Alcohol? Why it is so NOT COOL to drink
Alcohol is a toxic carcinogenic drug which exists as ethanol. Whilst it brings many temporary positive feelings of inhibition, pain relief, pleasure and euphoria, it can have widespread negative physical and mental consequences, increasing body inflammation and reducing antioxidant capacity, mood, immunity, fertility, cognitive capacity and our ability to absorb key health-giving nutrients from our diet. It is the most widely accepted addictive substance worldwide and its consumption is related to multiple health, economic, and social problems.
The liver is the organ in charge of ethanol metabolism and is most vulnerable to alcohol’s toxic effects. It is broken down to Acetaldehyde chemical and then acetate and carbon dioxide and water in the liver by the enzymes Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS) with Catalase antioxidant enzyme and p450 enzymes. Acetaldehyde is a carcinogen which leads to the production of acetate and one molecule of NADH which increases the production of free radicals. These free radicals cause mitochondrial, protein, fat and cell membrane damage and inhibit cellular antioxidant capacity. Some alcohols like brandy and whisky also contain congeners such as histamines and methanol. Ethanol dehydrogenase converts methanol to formaldehyde and formic acid, both of which are highly toxic. It is these toxic metabolites and the dehydration from alcohol that result in the symptoms of a hangover.
Alcohol also compromises the liver as the p450 enzymes that usually break down fatty acids, cholesterol, steroids, bile acids and drugs, switch to breaking down alcohol in a dose-response (the more you drink, the less metabolic capacity your liver has) (Scherrer et al., 2021; Wu & Cederbaum, 2003). This reduces the body’s insulin and sensitivity and liver detoxification capacity, enhancing inflammation. It also decreases your liver’s ability to store fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and minerals iron and copper (which is why your iron levels rise when you drink) and sugars, increasing blood sugar levels and diabetes risk. It also damages the blood vessels in your gut, decreasing your gut’s ability to absorb key nutrients such as vitamins B1, B3, B6, C, A, and E and minerals such as magnesium, calcium and iron. Alcohol use can lead to B1 (Thiamine) deficiency, B3 (Niacin) deficiency and Pellagra (depression, dermatitis, memory loss and diarrhoea are common symptoms) and B9 (folate) deficiency and disrupt one-carbon metabolism (DNA synthesis, repair and methylation), decreasing energy and vitality and immunity. The more you drink, the more you stimulate MEOS and the more toxic acetaldehyde you produce. “Flushers” is when the face goes red due to high levels of acetaldehyde in the body. This can either be due to low body levels of ADH (such as genetically for those of Chinese, Korean and Japanese descent) or chronic alcoholism.
Alcohol misuse is associated with many conditions which affect almost every system in the human body. The extent of this damage depends on the individual and their own genetics and biology. It is associated with Proximal myopathy, Neuromyopathy, (Srirajaskanthan & Preedy, 2007) atrophy of the smooth muscle of the GI tract, avascular necrosis fractures, Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in the musculoskeletal system. It can also cause gout and an increased risk of UTIs from dehydration. Mothers who drink during pregnancy are at risk of spontaneous abortion from foetal alcohol syndrome. It also affects B9 absorption from the gut (as alcohol use reduces blood flow to the gut) and so is associated with infertility and decreased red and white blood cell count and decreased immunity and anaemia and increased cancer risk (as folate is needed for DNA and RNA repair). It is also linked to endocrine and metabolic disturbances and gastrointestinal upsets, nausea, gastritis, and decreased appetite (Preedy et al., 2007).
Alcohol is consumed as it makes us feel happy 1–8 hours after as it is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant which increases GABAergic neurotransmission and can block glutamatergic neurotransmission, calming us. It also boosts Serotonin, the happiness and empathy-inducing neurotransmitters and boosts Dopamine the pleasure chemical and endorphins, pain-killing chemicals which give us a temporary euphoric high. It decreases Glutamate which causes a lack of inhibition and memory loss, slurred speech, and lack of coordination. It makes you more empathetic and sociable, increases joy, unbalances your blood sugar, and increases your appetite for life and food. Some alcohols, such as wine, can also be health-giving as they contain phytochemical polyphenols and phenolic acids such as flavonols, and anthocyanins, (Rana et al., 2022) flavanols and hydroxybenzoic acids, which can have a huge health benefit. Wine is consumed regularly as part of the Mediterranean diet (Morris et al., 2015) which has been shown in trials to be the best for fighting ill health (Psaltopoulou et al., 2013) and cognitive decline. This is why people drink.
8–48 hours after alcohol consumption, alcohol causes reduced appetite, nausea, depression, suicidal thoughts in some, headache, fatigue, memory problems, anger, vomiting, gastritis and concentration problems and decreased cognitive capacity. This is the hangover. Drinking too much activates both D2 and D4 Dopamine receptors and upregulates Serotonin receptors in the brain, making us crave more alcohol. It reduces your energy and vitality and overall, makes you feel sluggish, lethargic, angry, negative and low. The balance between GABA and glutamate is crucial for optimal brain function and alcohol disrupts this balance. Our brain adapts to counteract this imbalance which leads to low levels of GABA and high levels of glutamate can trigger anxiety symptoms. To counteract this, watch your alcohol levels, especially in emotional times. Alcohol should be used to celebrate, not as a coping mechanism for distress or a crutch for negative emotions. If you know you want to keep your brain sharp or have anxiety, depression or if you are trying to conceive (alcohol disrupts fertility as it impacts folate and B12), it is perfectly fine not to drink at all. The phytochemicals polyphenols and phenolic acids are also present in grapes and herbal teas, without the negative effects of alcohol.
There are many non-alcoholic beverages which are utterly amazing and CBD drinks and exercise (dancing) give endorphin boosting, and GABA-calming effects without the negative effects on the liver, brain, memory, cognitive capacity, sleep and vitality, and the hangover. You do not have to drink to be cool if it is going to muck with your mental health.
Copyright Laura Campbell 26/03/2023. Please don’t steal content. I have to pay rent too!
References
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Srirajaskanthan, R., & Preedy, V. R. (2007). Alcohol as a toxic and disease‐forming agent: Not just the liver and brain and not every drinker. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 16(2), 112–124.
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