So alcohol will probably never get an invite to be on the “superfoods” list. But is it really that bad for you? Unfortunately, yes, it can be pretty damaging to the body – especially at certain consumption levels.
“Alcohol is widely consumed for social and cultural purposes, but as a doctor, I must emphasize the importance of understanding its effects on the body, both immediate and long-term, as they can significantly impact overall health,” says Kristine Profeta-Gedroic, MD. Alcohol can affect everything, from your cognitive functioning to your heart health to your motor reflexes.
That said, 67 percent of Americans identified themselves as social drinkers in a 2024 NC Solutions trends report. So how harmful is alcohol, exactly? And what are the risks of drinking every day? Keep scrolling for alcohol 101, according to doctors.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Kristine Profeta-Gedroic, MD, is an integrative medicine physician and founder of The Gedroic Medical Institute and Profeta Institute.
Laura Purdy, MD, is a family medicine physician and founder of telehealth company Swell Medical.
Andrew Kulik, MD, is a psychiatrist and Chair of Behavioral Health at Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago.
What Is Alcohol, Exactly?
“Alcohol, or ethanol, is a psychoactive substance and central nervous system depressant commonly found in beverages such as wine, beer, and various spirits,” says Dr. Profeta-Gedroic. Beer, wine, and cider are created through fermentation that uses yeast or bacteria to convert sugars in fruit, vegetables, or grains into alcohol and carbon dioxide, she explains. Harder drinks like gin, rum, tequila, and vodka are then distilled to remove all water from the liquid for a stronger concentration of alcohol.
The exact nutritional information of alcohol varies on the source, but alcohol itself does not have nutritional value, says Andrew Kulik, MD. It’s calorie-dense, but contains no protein, vitamins, minerals, or essential nutrients.
How Does Alcohol Impact the Body?
First and foremost, because alcohol is a psychoactive substance and central nervous system depressant, it lowers neurotransmitter levels in your brain, subsequently slowing down brain activity, Dr. Profeta-Gedroic says. The result? Changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, behavior, muscle functioning, and potential cognitive damage when used in excess.
Beyond that, alcohol negatively affects multiple systems in the body. One of the primary concerns is liver health, since excessive alcohol consumption overwhelms the liver’s ability to detoxify the body, leading to conditions like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and in severe cases, chronic liver disease, Dr. Profeta-Gedroic says.
The gut is not spared either. “Alcohol disrupts the delicate balance of the gut microbiome and damages the intestinal lining, increasing gut permeability, a condition often referred to as leaky gut,” Dr. Profeta-Gedroic says. This allows toxins and harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, fueling systemic inflammation, which can exacerbate various health issues.
Alcohol can also impact your rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which can make you feel drowsy the following day, Dr. Kulik says. Plus, when you go to bed with alcohol in your system, you’re likely to experience trouble falling and staying asleep, according to the Sleep Foundation.
From a cardiovascular perspective, alcohol consumption can be a double-edged sword, Dr. Profeta-Gedroic says. “While moderate intake may offer some protective benefits, excessive drinking raises blood pressure, increases triglycerides, and significantly heightens the risk of heart disease and stroke. So the risks often outweigh the benefits, particularly for individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions.”
So, what happens if you drink alcohol every day? An increased risk to all the above. “The more you drink, the greater the health risk,” says Laura Purdy, MD.
Health Benefits of Alcohol
To be honest, there aren’t many. In fact, the World Health Organization recently declared that no amount of alcohol is safe for your health.
That said, if you had to pick a “healthiest” form of alcohol, red wine has a reasonable reputation thanks to its high antioxidant content, which can boost immune function, improve skin health, and lower blood pressure, Dr. Purdy says. However, she also notes that there are far healthier antioxidant sources (like berries, tomatoes, peppers, nuts, and seeds) that offer a wider variety of nutrients.
The polyphenols, specifically resveratrol, found in red wine have also been associated with improved heart health due to their ability to increase HDL (AKA good cholesterol) levels, potentially reducing the risk of coronary artery disease, Dr. Profeta-Gedroic says. But again, you’re much better off snacking on fruits and veggies, which also offer health-promoting polyphenols.
How Much Alcohol Is Safe to Drink Daily?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines safe alcohol use as having one drink or less per day for women, and two drinks or less per day for men, but this should not be viewed as a recommendation to drink daily, Dr. Profeta-Gedroic says. “For optimal health, it’s best to limit alcohol consumption to rare occasions or avoid it altogether.”
If you do choose to drink, stick to one type of alcohol at a time and limit yourself to a single serving. For reference, Dr. Profeta-Gedroic says a standard drink size includes 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits.
Is Alcohol Bad For You?
“It’s not good for you,” Dr. Purdy says. “Alcohol is a psychoactive, addictive substance that impacts your mind, mood, and mental state,” she explains.
Dr. Profeta-Gedroic seconds this, noting that while the occasional drink isn’t the end of the world, alcohol is, in fact, toxic to the body. As a result, booze can derail your health goals, leading to poor sleep, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, dementia, depression, and anxiety. Frequent alcohol consumption is also linked to cancer, poor brain functioning, and heart disease, she says. “As a doctor, I understand the importance of balance and the desire to fully enjoy life, but alcohol often becomes a significant disruptor in any wellness journey.”
Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based freelance writer and graduate from Emory University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her work has appeared in PS, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and elsewhere.
