beer drinking pubAfrica Studio/Shutterstock
  • Excessive drinking can cause over 60 different health conditions. 
  • There were over 7,000 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK last year. 
  • It is advised that you drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
  • 1 unit is the equivalent of a third of a pint of beer. 

Having a pint or two after work is as quintessentially British as a cup of tea with a biscuit or a scone with jam.
But unlike the other two, it could be leading to an early death.
In 2016, there were 7,327 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK with men being 55% more likely to die from an alcohol-related disease than women.
According to Dr Luke James, Medical Director at Bupa, recent figures from a Bupa health assessment show that over a third of people drink more than the recommended 14 units of alcohol each week.
Dr James told the Standard: "It's totally okay (and normal) to enjoy a couple of drinks now and again, but you should aim to have a few alcohol-free nights every week."
This week is Alcohol Awareness Week which aims to get people thinking about alcohol — how it affects us as individuals, families, communities and society as a whole.
In light of this, we've decided to take a look at the toll alcohol takes on your body.

What are the effects of long-term consumption of alcohol on the body?

Excessive consumption of alcohol over an extended period of time can cause over 60 different health conditions including mouth, throat, stomach, liver and breast cancer, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver and depression.
Dr James explained: "Excessive drinking of alcohol over a long period of time can take a toll on many of your body's organs, including your heart, liver, pancreas and brain.
"It can also weaken your immune system and bones. This is because within minutes of taking your first sip, alcohol enters your bloodstream through your stomach wall and is circulated to every part of your body."

What health conditions can arise from excessive alcohol intake?

When Dr James's patients are looking to lose a few pounds, the first thing he tells them is to cut down on alcohol. This is because alcohol contains a large number of calories which can lead to weight gain.
For example, one glass of wine contains 159 calories — the same as half a burger.
While weight gain can lead to obesity and subsequently an early death, there are many other serious illnesses associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
Dr James added: "Your liver detoxifies harmful substances — but digesting alcohol can damage liver cells, leading to inflammation and scarring, resulting in conditions such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis and alcohol-induced cirrhosis.
"What's more, alcohol makes your heart beat faster, which affects how well it pumps blood around your body. If you regularly drink too much alcohol — particularly if you 'binge drink' — it can raise your blood pressure too, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease."

Can these illnesses be reversed?

Dr James advised: "Depending on the severity of an untreated drinking problem, and the level of damage already done, some effects can be reversed. But it is important to get medical advice if you feel like you are drinking too much or if you feel unwell."

How do you know if you are drinking too much?

According to the current guidelines, no one should be drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week. One unit of alcohol equates to a 25ml single measure of whisky, a third of a pint of beer and half a 175ml glass of wine.
So if you do like to have a glass of wine or two, you should have no more than seven glasses per week and no more than five pints of beer per week.
Dr James reiterated: "It's important to stick to that, and it's a good idea to have several alcohol-free days a week."

What can you do if you are drinking too much?

If you have at least one drink every day, the best thing you can do is start to cut down and have several alcohol-free days per week. If you know you are having after-work drinks on a Friday, abstain from alcohol for the week leading up to it — but this also doesn't mean you should overdo it once Friday comes.
Drinking less comes with a slew of benefits, your skin will clear up, you will lose weight and save money. Oh, and you will also live longer, so that's something.
Read the original article on Evening Standard. Copyright 2017. Follow Evening Standard on Twitter.