Moderate alcohol consumption and diseases of the gastrointestinal system: a review of pathophysiological processes.
OBJECTIVE
Alcohol drinking is responsible for a number of gastrointestinal diseases and cancers. Although heavy drinking episodes and chronic drinking are well linked to mechanisms of disease, moderate alcohol consumption and its effects are less well known. This review attempts to fill a gap in the literature surrounding moderate alcohol consumption.


METHODS
A systematic review of the English literature using PubMed was used.


RESULTS
A dose-response risk relationship exists between alcohol consumption and digestive disease risk. Acetaldehyde is the main factor in alcohol-related damage in moderate alcohol consumption and acts through numerous methods to exert damaging effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Zero alcohol intake is recommended for lowest risk of alcohol-related digestive tract diseases and conditions. However, given the lowest overall mortality is associated with moderate drinking, moderate drinking with no bingeing episodes is recommended.
Taylor
Benjamin
B
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada. bennyjtaylor@gmail.com
Rehm
Jurgen
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology