World Liver Day: If you drink alcohol regularly, here's what happens to your liver (2024)

UPDATED: Apr 19, 2016 13:16 IST

Your liver, just like your brain and heart, is a crucial organ that you need to take care of. And, if you're a heavy drinker, you need to take extra good care of it. According to recent data presented by the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 2 lakh people die every year around the world due to liver ailments.

So when you drink, this is what happens to your liver (where the real metabolism takes place):

Your liver is responsible for removing alcohol from the blood through a process known as oxidation. After this process is completed, alcohol becomes water and carbon dioxide. However, if alcohol accumulates in the system, it can destroy cells and lead to severe ailments. Oxidative metabolism basically prevents this.

But once you've ingested too much alcohol for your liver to process in a well-timed manner, the toxic substance begins to take charge of your body by turning into 'fatty liver'. This essentially is the first or the early stage of alcoholic liver disease which develops in 90 per cent of people who drink more than two ounces (60 ml) of alcohol per day. And if you continue to drink similar quantities, this can lead to liver fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis.

The best part though is that fatty liver is generally completely reversible in four to six weeks if one abstains from drinking alcohol. But with cirrhosis, you end up damaging your liver in the worst possible way.

We contacted Dr Abhideep Chaudhary, Liver Transplant Surgeon, Jaypee Hospital, who shared some shocking statistics with us. "Alcoholic cirrhosis represents the most common cause of cirrhosis and accounts for 40 per cent of liver deaths from cirrhosis. Among the many causes behind liver ailments, infected viral hepatitis C (Kalapilia) is also one of the major causes in North India, particularly Punjab."

Also read: World Parkinson's Day: All that you need to know about this brain disease

Dr Chaudhary further added, "Fatty liver disease is the third most common cause of chronic liver disease. The incidence is rising and as per data it affects 1 in 6 individuals. Fatty liver is a reversible condition only with timely medical intervention and changes in lifestyle. If ignored, it can affect the functioning of the liver causing irreversible damage. In that case, liver transplant becomes the only option. It is necessary to avoid intake of alcohol and indulge in a healthy and nutritious diet along with regular exercise in order to prevent liver diseases. Besides, it is also important to have timely hepatitis vaccines."

Around 25,000 people's lives can be saved by a liver transplant, but unfortunately at present only 1,800 liver transplants happen every year globally.

What is the 'safe drinking limit' then?

Dr Chaudhary suggests, "People often wonder whether any alcohol is bad or if they can take a small amount without the risk of endangering their health. Well, in fact, the liver has an immense capacity to regenerate. Hence, the 'safe limit' for alcohol consumption is said to be 21 units per week (1 unit is approximately 25 ml of whiskey) in men, and 14 units in women. No more than three units in one day, and to have at least two alcohol-free days a week. (One unit of hard liquor is roughly equal to 12 ounces/355 ml of beer or 4 ounces/120 ml of wine).

Now the choice is in your hands. Make a conscious decision.