Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for cancer of different types, not just liver and colon; in some types of cancer the risk of developing increases even with one drink a day
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Tuesday, October 1
The types of cancer that alcohol can cause even in moderate consumption
Alcohol is a carcinogen. This means that alcohol causes cancer. There is a strong scientific consensus that alcohol consumption can cause various types of cancer, even when consumed in moderation, even one drink a day increases the risk of developing some cancers. The risk increases with the amount of drinks consumed.
Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of cancer of mouth, throat, larynx, colon and rectum . Alcohol consumption at any level is associated with a increased risk of esophageal cancer and breast cancer . While excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increase of approximately double the risks of liver cancer.
The National Cancer Institute in the United States notes that evidence of that alcohol consumption is associated with a increased risk of melanoma and cancer of the prostate and pancreas.
All types of alcoholic beverages increase cancer risk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that all types of alcoholic beverages, including red and white wine, beer, cocktails and Liquors are related to cancer.
How does alcohol increase cancer risk?
The Alcohol can cause cancer in different ways:
Ethanol (pure alcohol) and its toxic by-product acetaldehyde damage the cells of your body causing them to grow uncontrolled and turn into a cancerous tumor.
Alcohol can damage DNA , proteins and lipids (fats) in the body through a process called oxidation.
Alcohol can influence hormonal levels that can change the way cells grow and divide.
Alcohol can facilitate the absorption of other carcinogens such as tobacco, which leads to cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus.
The National Cancer Institute explains that alcohol can impair the body’s ability to break down and absorb nutrients that may be associated with cancer risk , such as vitamin A, vitamin B complex, folate, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and carotenoids.
How much is moderate alcohol consumption?
It is considered with maximum moderate consumption two drinks limit per day for men and one drink maximum for women for women.
How much is the equivalent of an alcoholic drink?
An equivalent of Alcoholic beverage is defined as containing 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol.
Beer: 12 fluid ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol)
Malt liquor: 8 ounces of (7% alcohol content).
Wine: 5 fluid ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
Distillates (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, etc): 1.5 fluid ounces (40% alcohol).
No amount of alcohol is safe to avoid increasing the cancer risk. But remember that the higher the consumption, the risk increases.
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