Five terrifying facts about alcohol that might make you want to quit drinking this year
Topics: Alcohol, Food and Drink, Health, Mental Health, Cancer
Chloe Jackson
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock images
Topics: Alcohol, Food and Drink, Health, Mental Health, Cancer
Many of us are currently in the middle of Dry Jan, but you might end up wanting to extend your booze hiatus after learning these 'terrifying' facts about alcohol.
A staggering 15.5 million Brits are off the bevs at the moment thanks to the month-long annual challenge, and while it can be a bit of a struggle in a society that seems alcohol-obsessed, those fresh Sunday mornings spent without your head in the toilet can make it all worth it.
Sober curiosity is a big thing right now, and as many take this month to re-assess their relationship with alcohol - and just have a bit of a breather after the festive period - sober folk are also speaking out about the benefits of ditching the booze altogether.
Katie Nessel AKA soberishmom - who went from having '15 drinks a week' to cutting back by '90 percent' - is one of those people speaking out about how grim alcohol really is for our mind and body.
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Now, I think we're all aware that alcohol isn't great for us, but I have to admit these five warnings made that 1 February Pornstar Martini that had my name on it seem way less appealing...
In a video posted on Instagram, Katie explained: "When I started cutting back drinking one of the most important steps was educating myself on the risks of drinking. I had no idea what I was doing to my brain & body."
The influencer went on to reel off five things that alcohol does to you that you might have no clue about.
Brace yourself...
First up, Katie warns how booze can spell disaster for your oral health.
Alcohol can be detected in your saliva for up to 24 hours if your blood alcohol level is 0.02 percent or above, according to The Recovery Village. This is a nightmare for your oral health, and can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and even oral cancer.
"When you drink frequently you have a higher risk of developing oral complications that are further intensified as you continue consuming alcohol because studies have found that it can influence your mouth’s microbiome. When this happens it can impact your gums which can cause gingivitis," Mouth Dental UK says.
This one would make biohacker Bryan Johnson seriously p**sed off.
Katie goes on to explain that alcohol is one of the most 'aggressive compounds' for your skin and can therefore accelerate ageing and wrinkles.
Indeed, according to a 2019 study, 'heavy alcohol use (more than eight drinks per week) was associated with increased upper facial lines, under-eye puffiness, oral commissures, mid-face volume loss, and blood vessels', concluding that alcohol consumption 'significantly' impacted 'skin and volume-related facial ageing'.
Next, Katie turns her attention to the gym fanatics, revealing that bingeing on booze can 'slow down fat burning, muscle growth and your metabolism'.
Research has suggested that alcohol 'impairs muscle protein synthesis' no matter how optimal someone's diet and exercise regime is, which is a big blow for those looking to get buff in the New Year.
Studies have similarly found that knocking back the bevs can also 'reduce metabolism and decrease our ability to burn fat', which is partly due to 'how the body responds differently to alcohol than eating real food'.
Essentially this is because the body sees alcohol as a toxin, unlike food. "Instead, metabolism shifts from burning stored food calories to removing toxic waste. The primary toxic chemicals produced by alcohol are called acetaldehyde and acetate," Very Well Fit explains.
Among some of the most terrifying revelations in Katie's video is that alcohol is categorised the same as tobacco - a class one carcinogen - and is therefore linked to several types of cancer.
The Minnesota Department of Health explains: "In the body, alcohol turns into acetaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent.
"When this toxic chemical builds up in the body, it damages DNA and prevents the body from repairing itself. Cells can begin to grow out of control, which can lead to tumours."
Cancer Research UK says that alcohol causes seven different cancers, including:
I'm sure we've all been lay in bed riddled with 'hangxiety', but it turns out this can become much more serious over the long term.
Katie's final point warns that booze can wreak havoc on your mental health, increasing your anxiety and 'decreasing your patience'.
Mental Health Foundation backs this up, explaining that our drinking habits and mental health are 'closely linked'.
"Alcohol is a depressant, which can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in your brain and affect your feelings, thoughts and behaviour," it explains.
"Alcohol affects the part of your brain that controls inhibition, so you may feel relaxed, less anxious, and more confident after a drink. But these effects quickly wear off. The chemical changes in your brain can soon lead to more negative feelings, such as anger, depression or anxiety, regardless of your mood."
Long-term, this can 'reduce the number of neurotransmitters in our brains' which make us more susceptible to anxiety and depression, and in some people, can trigger off a dangerous cycle of drinking which can spiral into dependence.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.