Several studies have revealed that consumption of alcoholic beverages is associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer. How can alcohol cause abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth? Check out the full explanation below.
The Link Between Alcoholic Beverages and Cancer
A research that involves 125,249 participants revealed that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is associated with at least 60 types of diseases.
The participants involved in this study did have consumption habits alcoholic beverages. The researchers used associations genome-width to find out the impact of this drink down to the DNA level.
As a result, the gene in in the human body as well as experimental animals (worms) immediately respond to alcohol when it enters the body.
In addition, another study published in the journal Lancet Oncology revealed, there are several types of cancer associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Most cases of cancer worldwide are also associated with alcohol consumption.
Also Read: Recognizing Various Types of Liquor and Their Alcohol Levels
Reasons Alcohol Can Be a Cancer Trigger
Exactly how alcohol triggers cancer is not fully understood. However, there are several reasons related to alcohol consumption that can increase the risk of cancer, including:
1. Damage to Body Tissue
Once in the body, alcohol can be converted into acetaldehyde, a compound that can damage DNA in cells and has been shown to cause cancer in experimental animals.
Alcoholic beverages can also cause oxidative stress in cells. This can cause damage in the cells that can increase the risk of cancer.
2. Bcarcinogenic
Alcohol is also known as a carcinogen. Carcinogen itself is a substance that can trigger cancersuch as rectal cancer, breast cancer, neck cancer, to mouth cancer. Especially if taken in large quantities, it can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Plus, inside the drink Alcohol also contains ethanol. Ethanol in alcohol is easy to damage cells by binding to DNA and making cells replicate abnormally.
Alcohol can also act as a solvent, this ability makes it easier for other carcinogens, such as tobacco, to be absorbed into cells. This can trigger cancer in parts of the digestive system (mouth, throat, and esophagus).
Even, Alcohol can cause a person addiction and the emergence of compulsive behavior. If drinking habits are also combined with smoking habits, then the risk of lung cancer will increase drastically.
Other factors such as obesity, poor oral hygiene and an unhealthy diet are known to increase the risk of cancer.
Also read: 7 Ways to Overcome Alcohol Addiction Most Effectively
Various Ways to Avoid Cancer
According to American Cancer Society, the best way to prevent the arrival of cancer is not consumption alcoholic beverages. However, it is difficult for you to stop this habit, limit consumption to no more than 2 glasses per day for men and 1 glass per day for women.
In addition to avoiding alcohol consumption, health experts also recommend avoiding smoking and regularly consuming fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants. This is useful for fighting exposure to free radicals from substances that are carcinogenic.
Make sure to process it properly to get the maximum benefit.
- Anonymous. 2022. Alcohol and Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/alcohol/index.htm. (Accessed February 22, 2023)
- Anonymous. 2023. Study Probes Awareness of Alcohol’s Link to Cancer. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/cancer-alcohol-link-public-awareness. (Accessed February 22, 2023)
- Anonymous. 2020. Alcohol Use and Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/diet-physical-activity/alcohol-use-and-cancer.html. (Accessed February 22, 2023)
- Boffetta, Paolo and Hasibe Mia. 2006. Alcohol and Cancer. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470204506705770/fulltext. (Accessed February 22, 2023)
- Gander, Kashmir. 2020. Heavy Drinking Could Be Linked to Lung Cancer, Scientists Believe. https://www.newsweek.com/drinking-heavy-risk-lung-cancer-1482068. (Accessed February 22, 2023).
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