Yes, for all you daily alcohol consumers, alcohol is actually considered a toxin to our bodies. While there are substantiated claims regarding low to moderate intake (i.e. one glass of red wine per day) and improvement in blood lipid biomarkers, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and possible inhibition of cancer cell growth, excess intake wrecks havoc on practically every organ and body system. Since alcohol is toxic, our bodies work quickly to metabolize it through a process called oxidation. Oxidation is what damages cell membranes and other structures including cellular proteins, lipids and DNA. When oxygen is metabolized, it creates compounds known as “free radicals” which steal electrons from other molecules, making them unstable. Once this process is started, disruption of a living cell (what we are made of) ensues.

Through oxidation, our body detoxifies and removes the alcohol from our bloodstream in an effort to preserve our dear tissues and organs. In our liver, enzymes then convert alcohol into two compounds (acetaldehyde and acetate). Meanwhile, in an effort to rid our bodies of this toxic substance, metabolism of other fuels is put on hold. Since alcohol inhibits the breakdown of fats as well as the breakdown of stored glucose (sugar), our blood glucose levels drop below optimal levels. Over time this can result in decreased insulin sensitivity and increased levels of an appetite-stimulating hormone called gherlin. Additionally, frequent alcohol consumption can negatively effect our adrenal glands thereby disrupting normal thyroid metabolism (side effects listed below).

So what exactly happens when we grub while drinking? The calories we consume are more likely to be stored as fat which not only detracts from weight loss and exercise performance goals but also leads to fat storage in our liver and around our organs. Excess alcohol intake disrupts normal body functioning including digestion (how our bodies break down and absorb nutrients) and metabolism (how we process the nutrients our bodies absorb), circulation and heart health, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) development, brain preservation, reproduction and fertility and natural body detox processes. On that note, perhaps when consuming alcohol in a sensible and moderate manner, it’s best to consume alone to mitigate fat storage concerns.

Why else dial back on the booze? Frequent alcohol consumption can further effect body composition by altering the balance of sex hormones in both males and females, leading to lower testosterone levels in males and abnormal menstrual cycles, delayed ovulation and infertility in females. Alcohol has also been shown to cause direct and indirect suppression of thyroid function. Since this gland is responsible for releasing hormones that control the way our bodies use energy, when normal functioning of this gland is disrupted, weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, hair loss, muscle cramps/aches, constipation, depression and memory loss ensues. While these negative effects are commonly associated with alcoholics, they can also occur in “social” (aka binge) drinkers. Alcohol can also increase triglyceride levels which as mentioned in my previous blog post is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.