Most people enjoy an alcoholic drink from time to time. And while that is fine in moderation, gastroenterologists have revealed to Newsweek just how much they tend to consume—if any at all.
According to Toufic Kachaamy, interventional program specialist, chief of medicine and director of gastroenterology and endoscopy at City of Hope, Phoenix, there is no alcoholic drink that does not add some stress to the gut.
"Even one alcoholic beverage impacts your cardiovascular system and gives you poor quality sleep. If you have a smartwatch, monitor your heart rate variability in the morning after a night of drinking and you will understand what I am talking about," Kachaamy told Newsweek. "There is really no alcohol that is "safe' the gut. Alcohol can worsen bloating in general and especially in people who have IBS."
Alcohol can have multiple effects on the digestive system, potentially causing negative symptoms. For one, it can irritate cells in the lining of the stomach. This subsequently causes inflammation, which can lead to stomach pain and nausea.
Stomach acid production can also be disrupted by alcohol. This can potentially cause harmful bacteria to enter the upper small intestine. Many people also experience acid reflux, or indigestion, after a heavy night of drinking,
However, not all hope is lost. There are some types of alcohol that are safer than others for the gut.
James Tabibian, a gastroenterologist at Adventist Health Glendale and professor at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, told Newsweek that he avoids most spirits, but occasionally has some tequila, "with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity."
"I also tend to avoid red wines that are high in acid, as these can be especially irritating to the lining of the digestive tract," Tabibian said. "I would pick an alcoholic drink that isn't high in sugar, such as a dry wine."
One heavy night of alcohol use can result in short-term symptoms such as an unpleasant hangover. However, when alcohol is consumed in high amounts regularly, it can cause a multitude of long-term effects. And it does not just impact the digestive system and gut, but other important body functions too.
Other than digestive problems, prolonged, high alcohol consumption can cause high blood pressure, as well heart and liver disease.
Vincent Ho, a clinical academic gastroenterologist at Western Sydney University, who also goes by the Gut Doctor online, told Newsweek that he personally minimizes alcohol consumption for this reason.
"Personally, I minimize consuming alcohol because of the recognized harmful effects of alcohol on the body including organs such as the gut, brain and liver. Having said that if I do consume an occasional social drink my preference is for red wine as there is some evidence that it can improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of dementia and better regulate blood sugar," Ho said. "However it should be noted that alcohol including red wine should not be consumed in excess—I would have a maximum of one glass at a sitting."
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Robyn White is a Newsweek Nature Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on wildlife, science and the ... Read more
