Binge Drinking Outpaces Daily Alcohol Consumption In Risks
Alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver has traditionally been associated with chronic alcohol misuse, but emerging research suggests that binge drinking can also be a significant trigger for this life-threatening liver disease. In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, individuals who engage in binge drinking, particularly those with a genetic predisposition to alcohol-related cirrhosis, face a six-fold increased risk of developing the disease compared to those who adhere to daily drinking limits and have a lower genetic inclination.
The study highlights that the risk is even more pronounced for binge drinkers with a concurrent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. When all three risk factors—binge drinking, genetic disposition, and type 2 diabetes—are present, the research indicates that drinking patterns may play a more pivotal role in cirrhosis development than the sheer volume of alcohol consumed.
Linda Ng Fat, a senior research fellow at the University College London and the first author of the study, emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing the drinking pattern rather than solely focusing on the quantity of alcohol. The research shifts the narrative away from the conventional emphasis on alcohol volume alone and underscores the significance of understanding how individuals drink. Pamela Healy, CEO of the British Liver Trust, underscores that consuming large amounts quickly or drinking to get drunk can have severe consequences for liver health.
Each factor—binge drinking, genetic predisposition, and type 2 diabetes—individually heightens the risk of liver disease. For instance, heavy binge drinking (12 units of alcohol in a day at some point during a week) increases the risk threefold, high genetic predisposition raises the risk fourfold, and type 2 diabetes doubles the risk.
Dr. Theodore Strange, the chair of the department of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital, notes that the research draws a crucial distinction between the health risks of binge drinking and the sheer quantity of alcohol consumed. He suggests that genetic factors may contribute to more severe liver injuries from binge drinking, possibly due to the rapid processing of a large amount of alcohol, overwhelming the liver’s ability to metabolize it.
Adam Zagha, founder of Numa Recovery Centers, points out that binge drinking places significant strain on the liver, impeding its detoxification process and leading to the accumulation of toxins, contributing to the gradual development of liver cirrhosis. The study offers valuable insights for identifying individuals at a higher risk and directing interventions effectively, particularly in the context of the increased prevalence of liver disease, including alcohol-related fatalities, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discussion about this post