A major scientific review has delivered a stark warning about alcohol<\/a>\u2019s impact on health.<\/p>\n World Health Organization<\/a>\u00a0researchers found that drinking alcohol is linked to more than 60 disease, and listed multiple types of injuries that are entirely attributable to its consumption.<\/a><\/p>\n However, the review also suggests that some alcohol-related harms may improve if consumption is reduced or stopped.<\/p>\n The study, published in the journal Addiction, brings together current evidence on alcohol-related disease burden and confirms that alcohol is directly responsible for a range of serious conditions, including alcoholic liver disease such as cirrhosis and foetal alcohol syndrome.<\/p>\n These are among the conditions classified by the World Health Organization as fully attributable to alcohol consumption, most commonly associated with long-term heavy drinking.<\/p>\n The researchers also highlight that alcohol\u2019s impact extends beyond conditions wholly caused by drinking, contributing to increased risk across multiple organ systems.<\/p>\n These include several cancers, such as those of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, bowel, breast and cervix, as well as cardiovascular conditions including high blood pressure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease.<\/p>\n Alcohol is also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, neurological conditions including dementia and epilepsy, and gastrointestinal diseases such as pancreatitis.<\/p>\n Cutting down on alcohol can reduce the risk of developing breast, colorectal, stomach, head and neck, liver and mouth cancers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The review notes that alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.<\/p>\n This increased risk is largely driven by alcohol\u2019s effects on immune function and, in some cases, by behavioural factors that increase exposure to infection risk.<\/p>\n In addition, alcohol significantly increases the risk of injury by impairing balance, reaction time and judgement, raising the likelihood of accidents, violence and traffic-related harm.<\/p>\n The review emphasises that injury risk can occur during episodes of intoxication and is influenced by both the amount consumed and the surrounding context.<\/p>\n One of the key findings of the review is that some alcohol-related harms may improve if drinking is reduced or stopped.<\/p>\n Short-term risks such as injuries or infections acquired during intoxication decline once alcohol use ceases.<\/p>\n Some cardiovascular effects may improve within days to weeks of abstinence, and aspects of immune function can recover over time.<\/p>\n However, the authors caution that long-term heavy alcohol use can result in lasting damage, and conditions such as cirrhosis and heart disease are not always fully reversible, although progression may be slowed.<\/p>\n Evidence also suggests that some alcohol-related brain changes may partially improve with sustained abstinence, although longer-term risks, including dementia, may persist.<\/p>\n![\"Cutting](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/05\/14\/05\/107107811-15813665-Cutting_down_on_alcohol_can_reduce_the_risk_of_developing_breast-a-111_1778731959982.jpg\")
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