The key facts
- The WHO does not recognize the existence of a safe dose of alcohol; ethanol is a carcinogen
- Regular small doses increase the risk of cancer, fatty liver disease, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation
- The Health Ministry previously warned that alcohol may be linked to every 20th case of cancer
Doctor on the risks of daily small doses of alcohol
Even 50–100 milliliters of wine per day cannot be considered a harmless habit: regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol increases the risk of serious diseases and can gradually lead to dependence. Senior Lecturer at the Department of Surgery of the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education Alexander Umnov spoke about this in an interview with Lenta.ru.
A carcinogen and a burden on the liver and heart
Umnov recalled that the World Health Organization does not recognize the existence of a safe dose of alcohol. Ethanol is a carcinogen, and its consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus, breast, liver, and intestines; the likelihood of oncological diseases grows with the amount consumed. According to the medic, the liver suffers from daily consumption — fatty liver disease can develop for a long time without noticeable symptoms. Alcohol can also raise blood pressure and increase the likelihood of heart rhythm disorders, including atrial fibrillation, which is associated with the risk of stroke.
Dependence and effects on sleep and memory
Another danger is the gradual formation of dependence: a person gets used to a daily portion, stops perceiving it as a problem, and over time may imperceptibly increase the dosage. In addition, regular alcohol consumption can negatively affect the quality of sleep, memory, and concentration, and the body experiences additional strain even without pronounced intoxication.
The main misconception and Health Ministry data
The main misconception, in the specialist's opinion, is the attempt to divide alcohol consumption into completely safe and dangerous. In reality, it is a matter of varying degrees of risk: the more often and more a person drinks, the higher the likelihood of negative consequences. Earlier, the Health Ministry warned that alcohol consumption may be linked to every 20th case of cancer; alcohol is especially dangerous for women, as even small and moderate doses increase the likelihood of breast cancer. It was also reported that alcohol consumption in Russia has fallen to its lowest level in the last 30 years.
