Is there any harm in drinking alcohol? After all, most cultures throughout the world have traditionally consumed alcoholic beverages for thousands of years. Of these, a few alcoholic beverages have evolved into global commodities that are produced commercially on a large scale − including beer from barley, wine from grapes, and other distilled beverages.
Unfortunately, alcohol lovers all over the world need to be aware of the latest information on this topic. According to a recent extensive review of multiple research studies, alcohol consumption has been conclusively shown to be the direct cause of seven types of cancer – including those of the oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and breast. Also, there is growing evidence to implicate alcohol consumption in the development of skin, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
[Note: the oropharynx is the middle part of the throat behind the mouth and includes the back one-third of the tongue, soft palate, and side and back walls of the throat. The larynx is the hollow muscular organ that forms an air passage to the lungs and holds the vocal cords and is also known as the voice box. The esophagus, also known as the gullet or food pipe, is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.]
Published in July this year in the scientific journal Addiction, the review study concludes that there is more than enough credible evidence to conclusively state that drinking alcoholic beverages is a direct cause of these different cancers.
This news doesn’t come as a complete surprise. In its 13th Report on Carcinogens published in 2014, the National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had previously listed consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen.
While a drinker’s risk increases relative to the amount of alcohol consumed over time and the highest risks are associated with the heaviest drinking, what is surprising – and more than a little troubling – is that even people consuming low to moderate amounts seem to be at risk.
It gets worse. This review also showed that people who smoke and drink at the same time are at even greater risk of getting cancer. And according to a 2009 study, an estimated 3.5 percent of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to alcohol consumption.
How Does Drinking Alcohol Increase Cancer Risk?
Alcohol is believed to increase the risk of getting cancer in multiple ways:
- By breaking down (known as “metabolizing”) ethanol in alcoholic drinks to acetaldehyde, which is a toxic chemical and a probable human carcinogen that can damage both cellular DNA and proteins.
- By generating reactive oxygen species (ROS − chemically reactive toxic molecules that contain oxygen), which damage DNA, proteins, and fats in the body via a chemical reaction known as oxidation.
- By impairing the body’s ability to absorb and use various nutrients associated with cancer risk – such as vitamins A, the B complex vitamins such as folate, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and carotenoids.
- By raising estrogen levels, a sex hormone linked to higher breast cancer risk.
Emerging scientific and clinical evidence shows a clear relationship between alcohol consumption and risk for the various types of cancer listed below.
Head and Neck Cancers
Alcohol consumption is now known to be a major risk factor for certain head and neck cancers, particularly cancers of the mouth (not including the lips), pharynx, and larynx. People who consume 3.5 or more drinks daily have at least 2-3 times greater risk of developing these cancers than non-drinkers.
The body breaks down alcohol thanks to an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Another enzyme, called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), further breaks down toxic acetaldehyde to nontoxic substances, which are then excreted from the body via the kidneys.
Some people, particularly those of East Asian descent, inherit a version of the ALDH2 enzyme that is defective. As a result, toxic acetaldehyde is not broken down but builds up in their bodies when they drink alcohol, resulting in unpleasant side effects including facial flushing and even heart palpitations.
Usually, most people with defective ALDH2 enzymes are unable to consume a lot of alcohol. However, some such individuals become tolerant to the effects of acetaldehyde and consume large amounts of alcohol anyway. Studies have shown that these individuals have a higher risk of alcohol-related esophageal cancer – known as esophageal “squamous cell carcinoma” – as well as of head and neck cancers. But only when they drink alcohol regularly.
Also, the risks of these cancers are much higher in such people with defective ALDH2 enzyme who both consume alcohol and also use tobacco at the same time.
Liver Cancer
Liver cancer – known scientifically as hepatocellular carcinoma – is diagnosed in half a million people worldwide every year. Alcohol consumption is an independent risk factor for, and a primary cause of, liver cancer. Too much alcohol metabolism in the liver is believed to increase liver cancer risk via excessive production of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased activity of liver cytochrome P450 enzymes, and alcohol-induced deficiency of beneficial antioxidants due to impaired absorption from the gut and a poor diet.
Breast Cancer
More than a hundred epidemiologic studies have examined the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk in women. [Note: Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in specific populations.]
These studies have consistently found an increased risk of breast cancer linked to higher alcohol consumption. A meta-analysis of 53 such studies (with a total of 58,000 women with breast cancer) showed that women who drank more than 3 alcoholic drinks daily had 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer when compared to non-drinkers. For every 10 grams of alcohol consumed daily, which is slightly less than one drink, a small (7%) increase in the risk of breast cancer was reported.
Similarly, the Million Women Study based in the U.K. examined more than 28,000 women with breast cancer. According to this study, for every additional drink consumed daily, the increase in breast cancer incidence was roughly 11 per 1,000 women up to the age of 75 years.
Colorectal Cancer
Alcohol consumption has been linked to a modestly increased risk of cancer of both the colon and rectum. A meta-analysis of 57 studies showed that people who regularly drank approximately 3.5 drinks daily had 1.5 times the risk of developing colorectal cancer as non-drinkers, or occasional drinkers. In other words, there is a clear association between alcohol consumption of more than one drink daily and higher colorectal cancer risk.
Numerous other studies have looked for possible links between alcohol and the risk of other cancers, such as those of the pancreas, ovary, prostate, stomach, uterus, and bladder. However, either no association has been found or the evidence for such an association is inconsistent.
Can Genetics Affect Risk of Alcohol-Related Cancers?
A person’s risk of getting alcohol-related cancers is influenced by their genes, specifically those that code for enzymes involved in breaking down alcohol − alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). For example, many individuals of Chinese, Korean, and especially Japanese descent carry a “super-active” form of the enzyme ADH which rapidly converts alcohol to toxic acetaldehyde. As a result, when these people drink alcohol, acetaldehyde levels build up in their bodies, increasing their risk of pancreatic cancer.
Similarly, people with deficient ALDH2 face much higher risks of developing esophageal cancer after alcohol consumption than those with a fully active enzyme.
Tips to Lower Your Cancer Risk From Drinking Alcohol
While abstaining from alcohol is the safest bet, here are some tips to lower your alcohol-related cancer risk:
- Have some alcohol-free days every week to cut down on the total amount of alcohol you consume
- Swap every second or every third alcoholic drink for a healthier beverage such as water
- Choose smaller servings (e.g. get singles not doubles and use smaller glasses)
- Substitute with less alcoholic versions of drinks
- Don’t keep a stock of alcohol at home
Promisingly, there’s some evidence to suggest that drinkers who give up alcohol can reverse their risk of laryngeal, pharyngeal, and liver cancer. Their risk stays reduced the longer they avoided alcohol.
On the other hand, in studies that have focused on head and neck cancers and on esophageal cancer, stopping alcohol consumption does not automatically mean lowered cancer risk right away. Instead, it may take years for cancer risk to come down again.
For example, a pooled analysis of 13 case-control studies of cancer of the mouth, throat, and pharynx combined found that alcohol-associated cancer risk did not begin to drop until at least 10 years after stopping alcohol consumption. Even 16 years after they stopped drinking alcohol, the risk of cancer was still higher for ex-drinkers than for people who had never consumed alcohol.
It is true that certain substances in red wine, such as resveratrol, have been reported to have beneficial effects for health, especially when it comes to cardiovascular disease. However, clinical trials in humans have so far not provided credible evidence that resveratrol is effective in preventing or treating cancer. Also, resveratrol can be more easily obtained from grapes, raspberries, and resveratrol supplements – all of which are much healthier options than red wine.
Article Summary
According to a recent extensive review of multiple research studies, alcohol consumption has been conclusively shown to be the direct cause of 7 types of cancer – including those of the oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and breast.
What is more than a little troubling is that even people consuming low to moderate amounts of alcohol seem to be at risk. People who smoke and drink at the same time are at even greater risk of getting cancer.
People who consume 3.5 or more drinks daily have at least 2-3 times greater risk of developing cancers of the mouth (not including the lips), pharynx, and larynx than non-drinkers.
Alcohol consumption is an independent risk factor for, and a primary cause of, liver cancer. Women who drank more than 3 alcoholic drinks daily had 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer when compared to non-drinkers.
There is a clear association between alcohol consumption of more than one drink daily and higher colorectal cancer risk.
There’s some evidence to suggest that drinkers who give up alcohol can reverse their risk of laryngeal, pharyngeal, and liver cancer. Their risk stays reduced the longer they avoided alcohol.
While abstaining from alcohol is the safest bet, here are some tips to lower your alcohol-related cancer risk:
- Have some alcohol-free days every week to cut down on the total amount of alcohol you consume
- Swap every second or every third alcoholic drink for a healthier beverage such as water
- Choose smaller servings (e.g. get singles not doubles and use smaller glasses)
- Substitute with less alcoholic versions of drinks
- Don’t keep a stock of alcohol at home
Hello Family; Yes this is true and the information is helpful to know, thank you. In the bible is says everything in moderation and that is a question of , what is moderate it is different with different people. Another question is what causes people to over indulge in a substance ? I have found that with a friend who used a lot of drugs and alcohol the cause was abuse to him and he was self medicating because of his pain and he got cancer. Was it the abuse or the alcohol? My mother drank because of her pain and fear and it made her feel better for a while, eventually she quit after my father poured a liter of scotch down her throat and she had no cancer from the alcohol. Just saying. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle called life. Loving Blessings. Alan.
The truly nasty thing is that alcohol is deeply embedded in our and almost all cultures (except Muslims who are asked NOT to drink alcohol). These products are advertised to all of us on a daily basis. We grow up thinking it a ‘test’ of adulthood. When I started college, I was just 17 and got caught up with a ‘party’ at a local bar that was a drinking contest. I really had no idea about alcohol at all (my folks didn’t drink or have any in the home although I had already ‘tried’ cigarettes and become a smoker). I got sick from too much alcohol and luckily withdrew from drinking for years. Then I became ‘allergic’ so it is moot. But the encouragement of society, the images of drinking, especially among younger folks, it’s sad. AND now we know BAD too. Good thing that Cannabis is becoming legalized and available safely. It can calm and relax without these really negative effects.
you seem like a real cool ma/grandma
I’m wondering if it’s not so much the alcohol as much as the way the pesticides used in the grape growing react and combine during the fermentation process. I’d like to see all the same research done on organic wines.
Hey Judi,
I agree about the organic grapes research! I have stopped (cut waaay back) on having a beer, and have always had a wine or two during the week or on the weekend. I mostly buy organic wine and have it with my dinner at home. I notice a huge difference the nexy day!
I cant log in to see the episodes I ordered and I dont find an email adress to Contact you? Whats wrong with the site ?
Hi Nina,
Here is the link to contact our customer support department: https://support.thetruthaboutcancer.com/submit_ticket
You can also call them using this number: 1-877-521-5572
I do not drink alcoholic drinks and I do not want too either, because I find that it is very bad for your health. I hate that in restaurants people ask me, if I want to drink, because I do not want to at all. What should I do, if people ask me, if I want to drink alcoholic beverages in a restaurant? Please give me some advice!
beloved Silvia et all. God- All that IS. Is always offering us choices, ” To Be or not To Be, Life is a smorgasbord of choices. Just choose.Everything in bmoderation. Make everything a sacred thing and Bless your food. The choice is always yours. Love. Alan.
I think a simple “No, thank you.” would work. I also don’t drink, and I’ve never even noticed it as a problem.
Dear Silvia, I get asked if I would like an alcoholic beverage to in establishments, I just say, “No thank you, but, I would love a glass of water please, thank you”. They would then bring a bottle of water and a glass, too easy! I don’t find it a problem at all.
While I appreciate the tenacity to rid the globe of cancer, this article failed to address why alcohol & cancer have such a strong connection today. Biblically, drinking in moderation is allowed, in fact, God even promotes it so what is different today from what it used to be? The ingredients used to make alcohol that have been genetically modified. This is why our household filters every scientific conclusion through His Word. Shalom
God does not promote alcohol consumption. There are 77 verses warning against it and it’s consequences.
Jesus liked to drink wine so it can’t be all bad.
So are you saying if you already have Head and Neck Cancer from drinking that it would be no benefit to stop drinking? Besides that it might help with absorbing vitamins better.
This is so true and right on the money Cigarettes and alcohol are so addictive and will cause HNT cancer. I had tongue cancer in 2005 and still smoked and drank.They cut a piece of my tongue out and put it back together.I have had cancer 7 times all in different places. The last one that I had in 2011 they took out 17 lymph nodes in my neck. They could not find tumor they told me it may be hiding behind my tongue. That was only 6 years. I thought I was ok I would make it to 7 years and no more . I didn’t make it.I go to my radiologist a lot but smoking E Vapes now so far so good but only 5 years still have 2 years to go but chances it will come back is high! They gave 29 treatments of radiation (I can’t have any more) only chemo I also had that before. At this time in my life at 67 I don’t think I will have anything else done. I am going to take my savings and travel for as long as I can.When the time comes for me to go it is up to God me and how I will go. It is my life my choice my decision . I have had a good life no great life. I lost 2 son’s one was 18 and the other 25 when they passed. I didn’t think I would make it though that. This two will pass. I am ready to see them again and other loved one. No sob story here just truth.
Travel change your eating diet and stop the drinking and smoking if u want to live tell your body u want to leave, cut out meat and farmed fish eat green and have faith.
Sorry to hear of your sons. You have gone through great hardship in your life. Travel might be good for you now. God is kind and loving, I am almost certain He will give you time for travel. Your sons will meet you at the gates of heaven when your time comes..
It would be really helpful to have a definition of one drink. Is one drink 8 ounces? 4 ounces? 3.5 drinks a day is how much? Look forward to your response to this. Thanks.
I’m curious to know if any studies have been done on populations that drink wine moderately with meals as they do in Spain, France and Italy. I had heard that these populations had lower rates of cancer than we do in the US. Is that true? And could this increase in cancer have to do with all the sugars and processed foods we eat here in conjunction with binge drinking vs in those cultures where the diets tend to contain more Whole Foods and their laws protect food sources from the types of pesticides we have here. Are there any known studies comparing alcohol and cancer rates/types in different countries?
Wow, I can’t believe this wasn’t an article on how moderate alcohol consumption is good for you, and reduces your chances of getting cancer. Kudos to the writer, and Ty who allowed it. And no, Linda, the Bible does not promote alcohol use; in fact, quite the opposite. There is only one verse in the whole Bible that says (I’m paraphrasing), if you’re a loser and have nothing to live for, go ahead and drink alcohol. All the other verses condemn the drinking of alcohol.
BTW, Jesus did not change the water into alcoholic wine (The Greek word for ‘wine’ can mean alcoholic, or unfermented, grape juice. There were many ways to preserve grape juice in the 1st century A.D. that did not involve fermenting it.). Since God can only create what is good or perfect, He could not have created fermented grape juice, since it’s a product of decomposition. Jesus could only have created grape juice.
If alcohol is bad for you. Why holistic doctors recommend the use of apple cider vinegar which contains alcohol?. I don’t drink alcohol but I use daily the apple cider vinegar
Apostle Paul advice young Timothy to have little vine along with his food
that can help his indigestion! Although Bible doesnot promote Alcohol consumption, it says the vine can give pleasure to human heart!
But remember the Spanish man who drank mass quantities of red wine daily (of course organically grown and fresh) and live to 107. I’m sure there’s more to the picture than studies may suggest.
Or how about the man who drank and smoked and caroused with women and lived to be 90? If you do the same things as he did, you too will live to be at least 90! Or did he live to be 90 IN SPITE OF how he lived? Sheesh people, put your thinking caps on.
you are very wrong pot kills. a man high on pot in Oct 2000. ran a red lite ,broad sided my friends Son & his 9 mo , pregnant wife, he killed both they died at the seine ,they delivered the baby in the street,,the baby died 14 mos later. it took my friend 3yr’s going to the Florida capital to get a law passed “anyone driving under the in affluence of drugs other then Alcohol an causes a wrack will go to jail. he had not been drinking alcohol. She went through all that to get the man 8 yr’s in jail. ” not enough in my thinking” that law is why Fl is having a hard time getting pot legal here in Fl. I hope they never pass it. 🙁
I recently read published an investigative report that drinking a glass of whiskey a day or a moderate amount of red wine healthy. what do you think ?
Can someone explain how Sir Winston Churchill lived to 90 years old despite drinking Moet champagne and smoking huge cigars every day of his life?? It seems it didn’t do him any “serious” harm….
I agree totally Linda ! I enjoy my couple glasses of red wine every night! The other thing to keep in mind that even if there is a correlation to cancer and drinking. The trade off is higher cardiac risk. I drink red wine for my heart health as well. It is more pleasurable and has far less side effects than taking statin meds. I watched a documentary where they did a study on the “French Connection” compared to American’s. They could not understand why France had far less heart disease per capital that USA even thought they smoke more, eat “fat” enriched foods, and exercise less. They concluded it was to main reasons, Red Wine, and the fact they eat real whole foods and sit down for all 3 meals and eat very little junk or fast food. Interesting no…. Studies have been done with groups of moderate drinkers vs. non-drinkers and the drinkers live longer. Reasons besides some heart health benefits are it slows you down, relaxes you before bed, etc. I guess like some other people have been saying the key to life is moderation in anything. Also seems to much or a bad or good thing has an ill effect on our lives
Hello Family; May be it is time to slow down and relax. Watch the children when they eat, they are relaxed and happy, they dance and hum and and enjoy their food and drink. When the mind and body are relaxed it does a better job. Start to bring in Joy with all that we do and it changes everything. Bless the food and drink, Bless the cook. A tense body is not good while living Life. ” Peace before accomplishment” Love and Peace and Joy. Alan.
Petjhar223@yahoo.co.uk. Wine naturally made without the added sulphites or alcohol fortification, and taken in moderation is a god intended blessing. It aids digestion and relaxation. Try home made beer (Easy to brew.)with its complement of ‘B -vitamins. Again in moderation. There is nothing wrong with the right use of Alcoholic drinks. The problem come with mis-use!