Numerous studies over the years have established an association between alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer.
However, alcoholic drinks play an important role in our world. Whether as a drink to accompany our meals, or a must-have when celebrating good news or drowning our sorrows, most people do not consider alcohol a dire threat to their health.
Little do they know, even a small amount of alcohol contributes to their risk of developing cancer.
How does alcohol make you more vulnerable to cancer?
Acetaldehyde is a product of alcohol metabolism. It is not only more toxic than the alcohol itself but also a known human carcinogen that can harm our DNA and proteins.
Moreover, alcohol can cause oxidation to molecules made up of oxygen, resulting in damaged DNA, proteins or lipids. It also hinders the digestive process of essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
In women, alcohol may stimulate oestrogen production, making it more likely for some to develop breast cancer.
What if you also smoke?
People who drink alcohol and smoke have been proven to be more prone to oral cavity and pharynx cancers than those who only either smoke or drink.
In fact, the combination of alcohol and tobacco is deadlier than one thinks. Smoking and drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer significantly, which is way more dangerous than their individual risks.
Do your genes have anything to do with this?
The answer is yes. Your genes provide the enzymes needed to digest alcohol. While some people have the kind of enzymes that accelerate the accumulation of acetaldehyde, others possess the enzymes that can break acetaldehyde into unharmful substances, thus making them less likely to develop alcohol-related cancer risks.
Is red wine good for reducing the risk of cancer?
In animals, red wine has been shown to contain substances that have anti-cancer properties.
Unfortunately, trials using human subjects have not yielded the same results. In order to establish a conclusive link between red wine and cancer, more research is needed.
In the meantime, it is advisable to limit consumption of any type of alcohol.
It is common knowledge that heavy drinking is not good for your health. However, it does not mean you should never touch alcohol again. A drink or two per day is fine.
However, you may need to think twice before drinking any alcoholic beverages if you are underage, pregnant or having certain medical conditions that will put you at risk if you drink (liver disease, for example).
This article first appeared in hellodoktor.com. It was reviewed by Dr Duyen Le. The Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.