Why alcohol consumption needs to be moderated and decreased?

Alcohol consumption has been a habit common throughout the world. Today we will observe what is acceptable and what is not. We will also delve into the scientific reasons on why alcohol is deemed a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) and what the commercials and producers of alcoholic beverages are not telling you. Knowledge is empowerment, so I will equip you with it so you can make an educated decision for yourself.

What does a standard Drink entail?

It is about 14 grams or 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. This means that a standard drink can be one of the following follows:

• 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol)

• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol - gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)

• 5 ounces wine (12% alcohol)

So you see, every drink is not the same—it all depends on the alcohol content. A person who is drinking several cans of beer or glasses of alcohol may be easily surpassing the limit without knowing it, therefore it is important to be mindful of the alcohol content of the beverage one is consuming.

Guidelines:

• Men - 2 drinks or less in a day (drinking less or infrequently is always better)

• Women - 1 drink or less in a day (drinking less or infrequently is always better)

Alcohol - Group 1 carcinogen:

The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a cancer-causing agent. Alcohol can be a contributing causative agent for cancers of the mouth, throat, pancreas, stomach, esophagus (food pipe), liver, colon, rectum, and breast. This list includes some of the most prevalent Cancers out there.

How does Alcohol serve as a Carcinogen?

The major metabolite or breakdown product of alcohol is Acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde can act as a Carcinogen through the following ways:

• Cellular stress through the creation of reactive oxygen species

• Oxidative stress can cause DNA mutations.

• Toxicity to the genome

• Can alter hormone levels

• Can increase inflammation

• Can alter Folate metabolism

With the above discussion, I would like to pass on the message that alcohol, which has been the focus of many other societal issues like drunken driving, spousal abuse, addiction, and loss of wages, also has chemical components that can affect your health. I would encourage everyone to keep your health in center focus and make decisions that will help you live long amd strong!