ABSTRACT
The human race has been, for some centuries now, consuming fermented drinks, and its benefits and hitches have been points of discussion till now. Alcohol is best defined as a beverage and a very toxic substance, with the dose determining the outcome. This review focuses on the use of alcohol, both in moderation and in excess, with a view to outlining their consequences. Researches have revealed that modest alcohol use is protective to the cardiovascular system, whereas outrageous and excessive consumption comes with its grave penalties, some of which have been appraised in this review. Alcohol intake has been implicated in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD is characterized by alcoholic hepatitis, steatosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, among others; these, if not taken care of, result in death of the individual. Evidence has also shown that alcohol is involved in the beginning and development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, among others; and, in the pathogenesis and continuation of several cancers like liver, breast, esophageal cancers, among others, all these have deleterious effects. Genetic factors also play crucial roles in alcoholism; alcohol dehydrogenase type 1C (ADH1C) comes in two forms, which determines if a drinker will be a heavy or moderate drinker. It is noteworthy to stress that moderation is key in alcohol consumption.
