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Alcohol -

Alcohol has been consumed for millennia. It’s part of many social and even religious practices all over the world. Generations of people consumed beer and wine as substitutes for potable water when it wasn’t available.

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Warning labels -

In January 2025, the United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy proposed placing warning labels on alcohol bottles, warning of the risk of cancer.

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Growing evidence -

Dr. Murthy’s statement was issued in conjunction with documented evidence of the growing link between alcohol consumption and different types of cancers.

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Rising deaths and cancer -

The accompanying evidence demonstrates that alcohol consumption is linked to approximately 20,000 deaths annually, as well as 100,000 cancer cases.

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WHO -

The World Health Organization (WHO) echoes these findings, noting that in Europe alone, alcohol consumption is responsible for over 4% of all cancer cases. WHO goes so far as to claim that there is no "safe" level of alcohol consumption.

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British Journal of Cancer -

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer analyzed the exact relationship between alcohol and cancer risk, unveiling that alcohol acts as a carcinogen, directly damaging DNA and preventing the cell repair process.

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So why the labels? -

Despite the evidence, most people are still largely unaware that alcohol consumption has such strong proven risks, even when consumed in small amounts.

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Link to breast cancer -

But for women, the risks are even higher. According to women’s health expert, Dr. Aviva Romm, “alcohol is the only commonly consumed substance proven to cause breast cancer.”

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Risks of developing breast cancer -

Studies have demonstrated that consuming between one and three alcoholic drinks per week increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. For every 10g (0.4 oz) of alcohol consumed, the risk increases between 4-13%.

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Alcohol-related diseases and deaths -

Women are facing increased levels of alcohol-related diseases and deaths. The stark reality of the danger women face is that even minimal consumption, like a few drinks a week, contributes to this risk.

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Women drinking more -

A 2015 study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism noted that alcohol consumption was growing for women in the United States. While women are drinking more, men are actually drinking less.

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Stress -

The study attributes this to increased stress related to work and home life. More and more, women are seeking stress-relieving activities, such as sharing a glass of wine with a friend.

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Hormones -

But cancer isn’t the only risk for women who drink alcohol. Alcohol can also alter and damage “the functions of hormone-releasing glands, as well as that of the target tissues.”

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Estrogen -

For women, one of the strongest hormonal effects that alcohol has is the rise of estrogen levels. This is even more relevant for women who also take synthetic hormones.

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Liver -

Estrogen levels are increased due to alcohol’s impact on the liver, which is the organ responsible for the breakdown and elimination of estrogen in the body.

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More hormonal influence -

Alcohol consumption has also been shown to decrease progesterone levels, the hormone that supports healthy menstruation. It has also been shown to increase DHEA-S, which can lead to excessive adrenal hormones and testosterone. This is directly tied to a higher prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (pictured).

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Premenopausal women -

Alcohol consumption can also greatly impact healthy hormonal cycles due to its effects on progesterone and estrogen. Premenopausal women who regularly consume alcohol can provoke early menopause and experience irregular menstrual cycles.

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Worsening symptoms -

For menopausal women, who are already more prone to symptoms that can impact the risk of developing disease, alcohol is metabolized differently. Tolerance drops and the after-affects of consumption can greatly worsen.

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Hot flashes -

Studies also show that alcohol consumption can trigger uncomfortable symptoms that menopausal women may already struggle with, such as hot flashes. This is due to a stimulation of a specific neurotransmitter (5-HT).

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Bone health -

For menopausal women, alcohol consumption also affects bone health. During menopause, bone health is already challenged due to calcium retention. This is further challenged by the consumption of alcohol due to urinary calcium excretion.

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Critical health markers -

It doesn’t just stop at hormone production. Other critical health markers, such as metabolic and gut health, among others, can greatly impact women’s hormonal health.

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Other conditions -

These challenges can contribute to conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), infertility, and endometriosis, among other health issues.

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Circadian rhythm -

Alcohol also disrupts the circadian rhythm, which in essence keeps human biological functions in sync with external cues (such as sleeping during night hours and being awake during day hours), converting these cues to signals that regulate our physiological and metabolic activities.

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Cues are determinant -

These cues determine when women ovulate, menstruate, produce estrogen and progesterone, and release insulin and cortisol, among other functions.

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Dysregulation -

These functions are incredibly sensitive to alcohol consumption. One drink alone can affect sleep quality. A couple of drinks can alter cortisol levels (adrenal gland pictured). More than a couple of drinks can completely dysregulate your circadian rhythm.

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Gut health -

The importance of gut health has been a key topic in recent years as we learn more about its impact on mental and physical health. Unbalanced gastrointestinal microbiota has been tied to hormonal conditions, alterations in mental health, metabolic diseases, and neurological diseases.

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Leaky gut -

The consumption of alcohol greatly affects gut health, impacting the composition of microbiota. Alcohol can provoke inflammation and dysbiosis due to 'leaky gut.'

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Mitigating effects -

This information may be quite jarring. Women may not be willing or able to give up alcohol entirely, enjoying social consumption. What are some tips that help mitigate some of the risks of occasional drinking?

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Tips -

Some tips include choosing clear alcohols (vodka or tequila), as they are easier to metabolize. Take care of your gut health on a daily basis. Make sure you eat well and are adequately hydrated before you consume alcohol. While no amount of alcohol is safe, these practices can help mitigate some of its effects.

Sources: (Al Jazeera) (Dr Aviva Romm) (Cleveland Clinic)

See also: Dry countries in 2024: Where alcohol is still illegal

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