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Alcohol is carcinogenic. Even one beer consumed daily can ruin the digestive tract. The more alcohol drinks a day, the higher the risk. Meanwhile, Europeans drink the most alcohol in the world.
As much as 20 percent European Union residents over the age of 15 drink at least four drinks a day at least once a week. Thus, they are at risk of cancer of the digestive system. This was recently demonstrated by the authors of a report published by the European Union of Gastroenterology, an international organization of medical associations dealing with digestive health.
How does drinking alcohol translate into cancer risk?
For the study, scientists assumed that one drink contains 12.5 grams of alcohol (about the same amount in a small weak beer or a very small glass of wine). They also distinguished three categories of drinking habits:
- little: 0-1 drink a day;
- average: 2-3 drinks a day;
- lots: 4 or more drinks a day.
Each type of drinking may be associated with an increased risk of certain gastrointestinal cancers.
And so: when we consume little alcohol, the risk of esophageal cancer increases, when it is 2-3 drinks a day, the risk of colon cancer increases, while when we consume a lot – pancreatic, stomach and liver cancer. Together, these five types of cancer account for a third of cancer deaths worldwide (almost 3 million deaths annually).
Why does alcohol promote cancer?
According to the report of United European Gastroenterology, the research conducted so far has allowed to establish that alcohol increases the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in two ways: both through direct damage to cells and as a result of the harmful effects of its metabolites.
A metabolite (a breakdown product) of ethanol, a harmful substance found in drinks, is acetaldehyde. It is formed in the liver and is recognized by the International Agency for Cancer Research as a carcinogen. It is also responsible for hangover symptoms. It harms not only the liver; It can also be found in saliva, which translates into an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus, larynx and pharynx.
Smoking and drinking – a very bad combination
Many of those who abuse alcohol also smoke cigarettes, which further increases the likelihood of gastrointestinal cancer, not least because we consume two types of harmful substances.
The researchers believe that alcohol helps carcinogens in cigarette smoke enter the mucosa of the upper esophagus. Thus, the risk of cancer caused by alcohol and tobacco together is much greater than if we add up the individual risks attributed to smoking and alcohol consumption separately. In addition, studies have shown that in smokers, the level of acetaldehyde in saliva is higher than normal, which also plays a significant role in the formation of cancer cells.
How and how much do Europeans drink?
The average person in the European Union consumes two drinks a day, according to a report by United European Gastroenterology.
For the calculations in the report, it was assumed that a standard drink contains 12,5 grams of pure alcohol – this is roughly the amount contained in a small weak beer or 100 ml of wine. These two drinks, so two small beers or one large glass of wine a day, are enough to increase the risk of colon cancer by 21 percent.
Lithuanians drink the most among the inhabitants of the 28 EU countries – 3,2 drinks a day. The top five countries where adults drink the most also include the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia. These are the countries of the former Eastern Bloc, where the tradition of consuming spirits is particularly strong.
Paradoxically, the following countries are at the bottom of the stakes: Malta (1,3 drinks a day), Italy (the same amount) and Greece (1,5). On the surface, it may seem surprising, especially in the case of Italians, who often drink wine with lunch or dinner. However, as the authors of the report point out, the Mediterranean countries consume mainly small amounts of low-alcohol alcohols, while in the north – more potent distillates, which has a direct impact on the number of cancers.
We know from Polish research that Poles drink relatively rarely, but a lot at a time. Therefore, one should not be glad that in the UEG ranking, Poland looks “average” – 10th place as a result of consuming 2,1 drinks a day.