A Glass of Wine A Day...
Written by Alissya Yuen
Edited by Diksha Kudlamath
July 31st 2021
Edited by Diksha Kudlamath
July 31st 2021
Research in the past has indicated that there are a few health benefits of alcohol consumption. For instance, one glass of wine a day is beneficial to decrease the risk of heart disease and lower the likelihood of diabetes. However, alcohol usage has a few effects on our hormones which are important to keep in mind.
In our bodies, there is a regulated system known as the endocrine system which is responsible for regulating our metabolism, growth, sexual development, and reproductive organs. This system is governed by a series of glands that produce and secrete hormones that have a variety of functions within the body. Because the endocrine system is closely related to the immune system, factors such as the environment, stress, genetics, and certain diseases affect our daily health and other health systems in the body.
A study showed that acute alcohol exposure activates the HPA stress axis system, which is involved with our physiological response to stress. Acute alcohol exposure, defined as five or more drinks on a single occasion, leads to an increase in hormones such as ACTH and glucocorticoids within the HPA system. In other words, we feel more stressed after a few glasses of wine though several studies reported a stimulatory effect of alcohol on the HPA axis. In one study, cortisol levels were significantly higher in healthy adults but in heavy drinkers, it was seen to impair the control of the HPA axis. Having the occasional glass of wine is beneficial in moderation but can also be harmful.
There is also research on the impact of alcohol consumption during puberty in teenagers. Although this field of research is relatively new, numerous studies have shown that estrogen levels in teenage girls are decreased and sustained for a while even after drinking (Block et al 1993). Effects of alcohol are also seen in adolescent boys where excessive alcohol consumption caused alterations in other sex hormones, such as reductions in testosterone. Other important sex hormones are affected by acute alcohol usage as well. For instance, luteinizing hormone is critical for the preparation of the uterine wall for the fertilized egg and maintenance of pregnancy. In women, the hormone FSH encourages the growth of eggs to grow in the ovaries. A study found that low alcohol usage of five drinks or less per week in women trying to conceive for the first time was associated with decreased fertility. Another study showed that alcohol usage in moderate amounts was linked to a variety of reproductive disorders such as irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation, increased risk of spontaneous abortions, and early menopause.
Overall, that one glass of wine at dinner time has more health benefits than risks, such as lowering your risk of heart disease and possibly strokes. Do keep in mind that even moderate alcohol use isn’t completely risk-free. There is still more research needed to understand the effects that binge drinking can have on your body, especially with long-term usage. Further research is also needed to confirm the link between benefits and alcohol consumption.