Regular alcohol consumption is associated with increased estrogen levels, which can disrupt testosterone-to-estrogen ratios and lead to various health issues.

Alcohol alters DNA methylation and gene expression, significantly increasing cancer risk, particularly breast cancer, with a proposed 4 to 13% increase in risk for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed.

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, and can exacerbate conditions like acid reflux.

Regular alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation in the brain and body, increasing the desire to drink more and exacerbating health issues.

Alcohol consumption can lead to long-term changes in neural circuitry and hormone systems, resulting in increased baseline stress and lower mood overall.

Alcohol can cause cancer through various mechanisms, including inflammation and the production of toxic byproducts during its metabolism, which can damage cells over time.

Alcohol consumption is linked to mitochondrial toxicity, which can lead to liver failure and other health issues, as it disrupts mitochondrial function in liver cells.

Both light and moderate alcohol consumption can reduce brain thickness, indicating negative effects on brain health, and there's a dose-dependent increase in the shrinkage of gray matter and white matter tracts in the brain as a function of alcohol consumption.

The metabolism of alcohol involves converting ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is toxic and can damage cells.