ALCOHOL IS TOXIC – A Doctor’s Perspective
Alcohol is the most socially accepted drug consumed by 2.3 billion people worldwide. It’s the legal poison sold on every street and responsible for 3 million deaths annually. And here’s another truth: “Society normalised regular drinking, but your body never did,” cautions a doctor of 21 years, Dr Sumit Sharma.
In a widely shared post on X, he explains why alcohol is toxic.
For years, I believed in the myths about alcohol’s benefits. However, research shows that the “health benefits” of red wine are vastly overstated. Our liver can only process about 1 standard drink per hour. Everything else circulates in your bloodstream, affecting your sleep quality, brain function, cellular repair and hormone balance.
A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet analysed data from 195 countries and concluded: There is NO safe amount of alcohol consumption for overall health. Every drink increases health risks incrementally.
Most people don’t realise alcohol is a depressant. While it initially feels stimulating, it actually: impairs judgment, slows brain function, reduces coordination, and affects emotional regulation.
The “hangover” isn’t just dehydration. It’s your body dealing with: inflammation, vitamin depletion, disrupted sleep cycles, and mini-withdrawal symptoms.
Sleep quality drops by 39% after just 2 drinks. Even though alcohol makes you feel sleepy, it: reduces REM sleep, triggers early waking, increases sleep interruptions, and prevents deep restorative sleep.
Common myth: “I need alcohol to socialise”. Reality: Alcohol reduces social anxiety by suppressing the prefrontal cortex – the same part of your brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control.
The science behind tolerance: Your body adapts to regular alcohol consumption by: changing cellular structures, altering neurotransmitter sensitivity, and producing more enzymes to break it down. This is why you need more alcohol over time to feel the same effects.
If you choose to drink, here’s how to do it more safely. The optimal approach (based on research):
> Max 1-2 drinks per occasion
> Never drink on empty stomach
> One glass of water between drinks
> At least 2 alcohol-free days per week
You should avoid alcohol if you:
> Have liver issues
> Take certain medications
> Have a family history of addiction
> Struggle with anxiety/depression
Benefits of reducing alcohol intake:
> Better sleep quality
> Improved mental clarity
> Stronger immune system
> Better emotional regulation
> Enhanced physical performance
Warning signs you might need to reassess your relationship with alcohol:
> Morning cravings
> Regular blackouts
> Using it to feel “normal”
> Drinking to manage stress
> Inability to stop once started
Remember: Your body has no nutritional requirement for alcohol.
Any potential benefits can be achieved through other, healthier means. Bonus tip: Most people don’t realize that alcohol affects biological sex differently. Women typically experience stronger effects due to: hormonal interactions, different enzyme levels, and lower water content in their body.
Final thought: Society normalised regular drinking, but your body never did. Listen to your body’s signals and make informed choices about your consumption.
(Info and pic sourced from @dr_sumit_sharma)