A party, a night out or just a weekend, for many people it is reason to have a drink. Or two. But how unhealthy that is is becoming increasingly clear.
At The Latest News toxicologist Jan Tytgat, liver specialist Hans Van Vlierberghe and professor of Social Epidemiology and Health Policy Guido Van Hal list the harmful effects of the world’s favorite drug.
It’s bad for just about every part of your body, from your brain to your skin and from your liver to your kidneys. “In the long term, your brain can even shrivel if you drink a lot and often,” says van Vlierberghe. Your skin also suffers. “People who use alcohol chronically produce too much of the stress hormone cortisol. Hence a swollen effect in the face and body,” continues the expert.
And about the kidneys: “Your kidney function decreases by drinking too much, which can cause kidney problems.” And the pancreas: “In addition to developing diabetes, you can also develop chronic inflammation in your pancreas or pancreas, resulting in chronic abdominal pain. Or worse, pancreatic cancer, a cancer that is very difficult to cure.”
Box of bananas
Van Vlierberghe: “In addition to the above-mentioned effects, women are one fifth more likely to develop breast cancer. In fact, there is an overall increased risk of cancer in those who drink, as is an increased risk of esophageal problems, stomach infections and problems.”
Tytgat: “In short: there are so many physical and psychological consequences. If alcohol were only invented now, I doubt it would be licensed to enter the market.”
Van Vlierberghe: “It would probably arrive to us in a container, hidden behind a box of bananas.”
