Wait, Does Red Wine Cause Inflammation?

Lately, it feels like alcohol has become the new cigarette. Once considered socially acceptable, cool, and maybe even "good for you," the voices pointing to the health risks of even moderate drinking have grown louder. The benefits? Those are being called misconceptions and straight-up myths, and now, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, MD, is joining the chat.

In one of his last acts as U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy called for alcohol to carry a warning label about the risks of consuming alcohol and cancer, much like the ones cigarettes have.

🩺 SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week 💊

As for why that's important? "Alcohol is woven into the fabric of many cultures, and from college parties to family gatherings, it's hard to avoid," Dr. Christine Kley, MD, a family medicine physician with UTMB Health, tells Parade. "Given its widespread presence, it’s important to understand how alcohol affects our bodies both in the moment and over time."

One of the ways alcohol can affect our bodies, atop its links to cancer and other health conditions, is inflammation. So, does alcohol cause inflammation? Or does the type matter? For instance, you may have heard red wine is heart-healthy. Does that mean wine causes inflammation, too, or is it the least inflammatory of them all?

These questions are good ones, and doctors hope the answers empower rather than scare you into taking the reigns of your health. Ahead, see everything they want you to know about alcohol and inflammation.

Related: 'I'm an Oncologist—This Is the One Thing I Want Everyone to Take Away From the Surgeon General's Alcohol Warning'

Does Alcohol Cause Inflammation?

Yes, alcohol can cause inflammation.

"[Alcohol] can cause liver damage, irritate the lining of your stomach, cause inflammation to your pancreas and can also cause inflammation in neural tissues, affecting your cognition and mood regulation," says Dr. Daniel Kim, DO, a board-certified family physician with Medical Offices of Manhattan and LabFinder.com contributor.

That being said, it might help if we backed up and explained the type of inflammation we're discussing. While banging your head after drinking alcohol can cause swelling (and worsen a hangover), we're not talking about the inflammation you can see.

"While often associated with negative outcomes like pain and swelling, inflammation is essential for healing and protecting the body," says Dr. Jamie Koprivnikar, MD, an oncologist with Hackensack University Medical Center. "Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection. It's a complex process that involves the immune system, blood vessels and molecular mediators."

However, chronic inflammation can be problematic: Dr. Kley says that long-term inflammation puts your body into a chronic state of alert, harming tissues and putting you at a higher risk for developing health concerns like heart disease.

Related: Cardiologists Are Begging You to Break This Super-Common After-Work Habit ASAP

How Does Alcohol Cause Inflammation?

Alcohol works in multiple ways to trigger inflammation within the body.

"Alcohol causes inflammation through the metabolism of alcohol into one of its byproducts, acetaldehydes," says Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "This chemical then likely triggers an immune response, setting off inflammation."

Dr. Kim adds that alcohol can reduce immune system functioning, making it more challenging for the body to respond to invaders and manage inflammation.

Finally, alcohol can trigger oxidative stress or an imbalance of specific molecules (free radicals) and antioxidants. According to Dr. Kim, this stress can cause tissue damage, harming the liver, stomach, pancreas, and brain in the long term.

Impacts of Alcohol-Induced Inflammation on the Body

Alcohol can affect multiple organs and systems, leading to short-term and long-term health issues.

• Stomach and intestines: Dr. Koprivnikar says alcohol directly irritates the stomach and intestines, triggering nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Liver: This one likely comes as no surprise. "The liver is the primary organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol," Dr. Koprivnikar says. "Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, or liver inflammation." Ultimately, chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis), an issue that involves significant inflammation.

• Pancreas: Dr. Koprivnikar says that alcohol is a major cause of pancreatitis, which is literally inflammation of the pancreas and is a serious, life-threatening condition.

• Brain: Intoxication upends brain functioning, impacting balance, executive functioning, and deep REM sleep, according to Dr. Kley. "Long-term use can damage neurons, leading to brain shrinkage and cognitive decline," he adds.

• Heart: Excessive alcohol use is linked with heart disease risks. "While some studies suggest cardio-protective effects for moderate drinkers, it is not recommended for non-drinkers to start drinking for health benefits," says Dr. Kley.

• Metabolic: Alcohol contains excess, unnecessary calories. "Alcohol is high in calories and is associated with excess visceral fat, which is highly inflammatory," Dr. Kley says, adding that it can infiltrate the liver and trigger diseases, including diabetes.

• Cancers:. Drs. Chen, Kley and Koprivnikar all point to data linking alcohol consumption with an increased risk of cancer.

Related: The One Thing That's More Important for Longevity Than Your Genes

What Is The Least Inflammatory Alcohol?

You may have heard red wine is good for you, or at least better than other types of alcohol. However, that's not exactly the case.

"Red wine is often considered healthier than other alcoholic beverages due to its antioxidants, polyphenol and resveratrol, and these compounds are thought to offset some of the inflammatory effects of alcohol," Dr. Kley explains. "However, it is important to know that no type of alcohol is completely risk-free despite potential health benefits." So, does wine cause inflammation? Yes, even red vino.

Okay, but what about things like beer? Does beer cause inflammation, too? "All alcohol will contribute to inflammation in the body," Dr. Chen reiterates. "I would not recommend any particular type as being safer from having less inflammation."

Dr. Chen's response echoes other major health organizations, including WHO, that no amount of alcohol is healthy or safe.

As for what you should try in place of your nightly date with a glass of wine?

"A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise and stress management is far more effective for reducing inflammation and promoting overall well-being," Dr. Koprivnikar concludes.

Up Next:

Related: Beat Inflammation and Lose Weight With This 7-Day High-Protein Diet Plan

Sources:

• US Surgeon General calls for cancer warning labels on alcohol. Lancet.

• Dr. Christine Kley, MD, a family medicine physician with UTMB Health

• Dr. Daniel Kim, DO, a board-certified family physician with Medical Offices of Manhattan and LabFinder.com contributor

• Dr. Jamie Koprivnikar, MD, an oncologist with Hackensack University Medical Center

• Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center

• Opposing effects of alcohol on the immune system. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry.

• Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Ectopic Fat in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. JAHA.
  

• Chronic Inflammation’s Transformation to Cancer: A Nanotherapeutic Paradigm. Molecules.

• Benefits and Risks of Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Cardiovascular Disease: Current Findings and Controversies. Nutrients.

• Alcohol. World Health Organization.