You can reverse much of the damage alcohol has done to your body, science says

A new study highlights alcohol’s toxic effects, linking it to 62 disorders such as heart disease, cirrhosis, and fetal alcohol syndrome, all of which would not exist without alcohol use. Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention at National Jewish Health in Denver, stated alcohol is inherently toxic, as it is used for disinfection. Jürgen Rehm, a senior scientist at Canada’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, added that alcohol contributes to 30 additional diseases, including cancers and dementia, even if they have other causes. The immune system is particularly vulnerable: even one drink impairs its ability to fight infections within 20 minutes, while chronic drinking can permanently damage critical immune cells. Heavy drinking, defined as over 40 grams of pure alcohol daily for women and 60 grams for men, poses the greatest risk, though smaller amounts can still qualify as heavy use depending on drink strength. Rehm’s team developed a free app showing how many minutes and days of life are lost per drink, alongside potential gains from quitting. Despite these risks, many alcohol-related diseases—such as heart damage, liver disease, and certain cancers—can be slowed, stopped, or reversed with early intervention. Alcohol disrupts both innate and acquired immunity, with historical records dating its impact on pneumonia to 1785, though modern research has expanded its known effects to include flu and COVID-19 susceptibility. The findings challenge the notion of moderate drinking as safe, emphasizing that no level of alcohol consumption is without harm. Experts urge reconsideration of drinking habits, noting that even occasional use can contribute to long-term health risks.