Alcohol and your body

The immediate effects of drinking on your brain can include slurred speech, slow reactions, impaired memory and blackouts. Over the longer-term, heavy drinking can cause a number of different types of brain damage.

Overuse of alcohol can worsen the symptoms of many mental health problems. In particular, it can lead to low mood and anxiety.

If you regularly drink above 14 units a week you are increasing your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, larynx (voice box), pharynx (upper throat) and oesophagus (food pipe). This risk increases further if you smoke.

There is increasing evidence that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and some other heart conditions. However, this risk starts to rise when consuming above 14 units per week. Heavy drinking is also associated with both hypertension and increased risk of stroke.

More than 50 studies have confirmed that alcohol is a particular risk factor for breast cancer. Alcohol seems to increase production of the female hormone oestrogen, and excess oestrogen can make breast cells cancerous.

Drinking too much can cause gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and stomach ulcers. It can also lead to uncomfortable reflux – digestive contents being forced up into your oesophagus (food pipe).

Heavy drinking can also increase your risk of stomach and bowel cancer.

Most alcohol that goes into your body is processed by your liver, and if it has to break down too much alcohol the health of your liver will suffer.

Long-term, drinking too much alcohol can lead to fatty liver, hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and also liver cancer.

Men may suffer temporary impotence after a bout of drinking. Long-term, dependent drinking can cause the sexual organs to shrink in men and women.