The Effects of Alcohol on Body Systems

Alcohol, a psychoactive drug that acts as a depressant, is a substance widely found in most societies around the globe. Mixed in beers, spirits and fine wines, alcohol is consumed in some form or another by nearly 52% of adults in the United States alone. Despite its long history of human consumption and general legality, alcohol has numerous effects on the human body and its systems, both short term and long term.

Digestive System

• As drinking causes a rise in blood sugar, the pancreas reacts and produces insulin, causing low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia.

  The digestive system, consisting of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, the small and large intestines, liver, pancreas, the rectum and the anus, is one of the first bodily systems affected by alcohol consumption. However, alcohol bypasses some of this system and is not digested in the same manner as other foods. Instead, alcohol goes straight into the bloodstream after being absorbed in the stomach and small intestines. Because alcohol increases the amount of acid in the stomach, long-term alcohol abusers can develop intestinal ulcers and hypoglycemia.

Circulatory System

• Alcohol serves both beneficial and negative health effects on the body's circulatory system. As blood is pumped through the arteries, veins and capillaries from the heart, alcohol is carried throughout the body. Drinking in moderation can benefit the heart and reduce the chances of forming blood clots. However, drinking alcohol in excess can cause harm, as the heart may not perform as effectively when the body is drunk. This causes the tissue and organs in the body to be deprived of oxygen and may cause red eyes and blotchy skin.

Endocrine System

• The endocrine system regulates the body's hormones and their production. Alcohol inhibits hormone production and stunts the body's ability to absorb calcium. The reduction in calcium presents problems to the body's bone health and density. With frequent use and in high doses, alcohol can cause problems with sexual function and increase the production of the estrogen hormone in men. Likewise, prolonged drinking may cause infertility in both genders.

Central Nervous System

• Long-term alcohol abuse leads to brain cell damage and memory loss in many users.

  Composed of the brain and spinal cord, the central nervous system is heavily affected by alcohol consumption. As a depressant, alcohol slows the processes of the brain, causing effects such as impaired vision, speech, thought and slowed reaction times. Alcohol is well known for its tendency to lower social inhibition in drinkers as well as its impairment of judgment and memory. The brain suffers deterioration after prolonged alcohol abuse, leading to emotional instability.

Liver

• While not a bodily system in and of itself, the liver is a vital glandular organ that regulates and cleans alcohol as it passes through the bloodstream. The liver is a vital organ with a multitude of functions that the rest of the body heavily relies on. Alcohol disrupts this process and can lead to a fatty liver, which in turn can lead to hepatitis or cirrhosis, as well as allowing fat to build up in the bloodstream.