Much in the same way that cigarettes were the norm back in the day, alcohol is the societal norm today. Because of this, we often overlook the harm that the substance is doing to our body. Here are a few more physical downsides to be aware of when you overdo it.
Diarrhea. Considering alcohol is often marketed as a sexy and pretty substance, it has some pretty ugly side effects. Due to the harm that alcohol causes for your intestines, you may end up having bouts of diarrhea after a heavy drinking session.
Infertility. If you are trying to conceive, it’s best to shy away from too much alcohol completely. It has an effect on both men and women’s fertility.
Malnutrition. This is a big one. When alcohol is in your system, it prevents your body from absorbing the vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat. And your body is essentially working overtime to replace those vitamins and minerals, making you more drowsy and putting more pressure on your already-busy organs.
Thinning bones. If you are worried about getting osteoporosis, you may want to steer clear of the booze, as it ups your chances of having thinning bones. Drinking regularly has a toxic effect upon bone forming cells such as osteoblasts. These cells are responsible for the production of bone, and without them, you are more likely to decrease your bone mass, which will ultimately lead to an increased chance of fractures. Not to mention the fact that alcohol makes us clumsy and raises our chances of falling, upping our already risky chance for fractures in the hips, wrists, and spine.
Cardiovascular damage. Known as one of the leading causes of heart damage, drinking alcohol can mess with your body’s most important part. Your heart is responsible for transporting blood to other parts of your body, delivering nutrients and oxygen that work to keep you alive. Alcohol’s toxic ingredients damage both the heart and the arteries around the heart, causing the pump to work less efficiently. Beware of the myths that drinking red wine is good for your heart.
Diabetes. Alcohol works in a way that alters your organs’ capacity to balance blood sugar levels, which could certainly cause an uproar with diabetes issues that you already have and present a risk for becoming victim to the diabetic trap. When all is said and done, the best thing you can do is drink very moderately or not at all if you want your body to function to full capacity.
