Alcohol has significant short- and long-term effects on the body’s organs, including the liver. The liver plays an important role, and its main role is to help break down substances and remove toxins from the body. Excessive long-term alcohol consumption suppresses the liver, inhibits the ability to filter alcohol and makes it impossible for liver cells to regenerate. Alcohol is one of the most common causes of liver disease.
Normally, the liver can regenerate lost cells, but the scarring caused by alcohol-induced liver disease prevents it from regenerating itself. Drinking too much alcohol for several days can cause fat to build up in the liver and damage the cells. If a person has fatty liver disease and continues to drink alcohol, the disease will progress and cause further damage due to permanent scarring.
Avoiding and limiting alcohol consumption is essential for preventing liver disease and treating existing cases. Alcohol use disorders increase the risk of liver disease because it affects a person’s ability to stop drinking. Getting help for alcohol addiction can help you avoid alcohol and prevent and treat liver disease.
What does the liver do in the human body?
The liver is located in the upper right side of the abdomen, below the ribs. It is an important and complex organ that performs several functions. Secretes bile to aid digestion, remove toxins from the blood and help eliminate waste from the body.
The liver also stores sugar, which the body uses for energy and helps regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It helps the body fight disease and infection and makes proteins throughout the body, including proteins that help blood clot.
How alcohol affects your liver
The liver is flexible and can regenerate itself by creating new cells. Every time you drink alcohol, your liver filters out the alcohol, causing liver cells to die and new ones to form. However, long-term overdose can gradually reduce the liver’s ability to regenerate, leading to permanent liver damage. Various substances can damage the liver, but alcohol is one of the most common causes of liver damage.
How alcohol consumption affects your liver
Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and cause liver disease. Alcohol contains ethanol, which has calorific value. However, unlike fats and carbohydrates, the body cannot store alcohol for later consumption. Alcohol remains in the water until it is excreted from the body, and the liver’s job is to oxidize and eliminate the alcohol.
Alcoholic liver disease occurs when a person drinks too much alcohol over a long period of time. There are three types of liver disease. Alcohol-related liver disease manifests as any of the following disorders.