There is a saying about alcohol consumption: "everything in moderation." Drinking affects every organ in your body. Once consumed, alcohol enters the bloodstream and begins to affect functions in the body.
Short-term Effects
The effects of alcohol on a person depend on the amount consumed, your size, weight and, in some cases, age. Short-term effects include lower inhibition, impaired judgment, loss of coordination and slurred speech. A person who regularly consumes alcohol often has less control over their emotions, as well.
After the alcohol wears off, drinkers often experience what is commonly referred to as a hangover. The person complains of headache, nausea, dehydration and fatigue.
Long-term Effects
The most significant long-term effect of alcohol use is addiction. Someone who drinks heavily and becomes addicted will have a hard time quitting, and has a greater chance of suffering from long-term symptoms and health conditions.
Disease
Cirrhosis of the liver can be a very serious result of heavy drinking. The liver is needed to metabolize alcohol, and cirrhosis causes the liver to deteriorate. Scar tissue replaces the healthy tissue and impedes blood flow through the liver. Alcohol also kills liver cells and prevents the liver from growing new cells.
Long-term heavy drinking also results in cancer. According to studies, alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus. Heavy consumption of alcohol also increases the chances of developing heart disease. As previously mentioned, once consumed, alcohol directly enters the bloodstream, which runs through the heart. Research shows this leads to heart diseases, including enlargement of the heart, which reduces the heart's ability to pump blood.
Effects on the Brain
Alcohol has many long-term and even debilitating effects on the brain. Heavy drinking has been linked to symptoms from minor "slips" of memory to significant paralysis. It also has a negative impact on brain function after the alcohol has worn off. Research shows the damaging effects of alcohol on the brain is most significant in the frontal lobe, which provides us with the ability for complex thought.
Effects on Nutrition
Heavy drinkers tend to be malnourished. Moderate drinkers usually have an increased appetite when consuming alcohol. However, studies show heavy drinkers have a reduced appetite, causing them to eat less.
Alcohol increases empty-calorie intake like fats and sugars. Long-term alcohol use prevents the body from appropriately metabolizing nutrients. This leads to digestive problems.
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