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Alcohol and diet   

Overview | Recommendations | Side Effects | Food Sources

Alternative names:

Liquor; Diet - alcohol

Side Effects

Alcohol is a leading cause of the traffic accidents in the United States because it slows reaction times and impairs your judgment.

The liver detoxifies (or metabolizes) alcohol. Continued, excessive use of alcohol can damage the liver is various ways including the development of a fatty liver. A fatty liver can progress to cirrhosis of the liver, a potentially fatal condition.

Alcohol is a risk factor for development of cancer of the esophagus, throat, larynx, and the mouth.

The presence of alcohol impairs the absorption of essential nutrients because it can damage the lining of the small intestine and the stomach where most nutrients are digested. Alcohol also requires some vitamins in its metabolism, and it interferes with the absorption and storage of some specific vitamins.

Alcohol can impair sexual function, even though it may increase your interest in sexual activity.

Alcohol intake during pregnancy has been identified as the cause of fetal alcohol syndrome.

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