The common sense of drinking is changing. People used to claim that moderate drinking was beneficial for cardiovascular health but they have lost their ground. In January, Canadian health authorities recommended that everyone reduce alcohol consumption as much as possible, saying it can be harmful even at low levels. To be in the low-risk group, you must drink two or fewer standard glasses (one 355mL can of beer) per week.

The only way to be completely risk-free is to not drink alcohol at all. Considering that the previous recommendation was 15 drinks per week for men and 10 drinks per week for women, there has been so much change in the standards of alcohol consumption. Why should we drink as little as possible?

This is because scientists released new findings about the relationship between alcohol and health. DNA, in particular, is the problem. When alcohol is metabolized, a toxic substance called acetaldehyde is produced. 

Acetaldehyde damages DNA in cells, increasing the risk of cancer. People who blush from drinking are genetically more vulnerable. Either alcohol is metabolized to acetaldehyde more rapidly or acetaldehyde is broken down more slowly. Either way, as a result, more acetaldehyde stays in the body for a longer period of time, increasing the health risk.

For this reason, people who tend to blush more after drinking are recommended to drink less. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of esophageal cancer, head and neck (the mouth, pharynx, larynx) cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and colon cancer. Even small amounts of alcohol can raise the risk of esophageal cancer and breast cancer. Already in 2016, the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued guidance to avoid even one or two drinks a day to prevent cancer.

Unfortunately, it is impossible for people to feel the increased risk of cancer. Still, they can directly feel the adverse effects of alcohol consumption. A good example is that drinking alcohol increases harmful oxidative stress in the body.

After drinking, those who suffer from chronic pain can feel increased inflammation and pain the next day. Some say wine contains antioxidants in wine. But it is too little to prevent any harm from alcohol.

Alcohol, consisting of small molecules, travels around the body and causes harm. When it reaches the brain, it atrophies the hippocampus responsible for learning and memory. It hardens blood vessels and elevates blood pressure. It strains the pancreas and causes hypoglycemia. Pancreatitis is often caused by alcohol. 

Drinking is also associated with arrhythmias. A study on participants of Oktoberfest, a beer festival in Germany, showed that more than 30 percent of them said they had faster heart rates. If such arrhythmias continue, the risk of blood clots or subsequent strokes goes up. If you have a home blood pressure monitor and blood glucose meter, it is good to measure your pulse or blood sugar after drinking. After seeing the figures with your own eyes, your will to stay sober will get stronger. It is difficult to quit drinking. But the less you drink, the better.

Jeong Jae-hoon is a food writer and pharmacist. He covers a variety of subjects, including trends in food, wellness and medications. This column was originally published in Korean in Joongang Ilbo on March 16, 2023. – Ed.