BRAIN
Alcohol slows down the brain’s communication pathways, making it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Alcohol abuse often leads to learning and memory problems, as well as depression and anxiety.
HEART
Heavy drinking, especially binge drinking, is a known risk factor for cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of heart muscles), arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), stroke and high blood pressure.
LIVER
Those who drink heavily for a long time can develop diseases such as liver inflammation or severe liver scarring. In fact, more than 2 million Americans suffer from alcohol-related liver disease.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Chronic alcohol use reduces the body’s ability to effectively fight off harmful bacteria, making the body more susceptible to diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
WEIGHT GAIN
Drinking alcohol impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins from food and slows down metabolic function all of which can contribute to weight gain.
STOMACH
Alcohol can irritate and inflame the stomach lining, which can lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding. Severe tearing in the stomach may also lead to anemia.
BONES
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, flushing calcium from healthy bones. Heavy drinking can accelerate the rate of bone deterioration and increase the risk for bone fracture and osteoporosis.
CANCER
Habitual alcohol consumption is link to increased risk for developing certain cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver and breast.