Effect of ethanol and alcoholic beverages on the gastrointestinal tract in humans

Alcohol abuse ranks among the most common and severe environmental hazards to human health. Alcohol is a dependence producing drug and this dependence is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. While the social and behavioural consequences of alcoholism including psychiatric disorders are staggering, the manifestation of alcohol-related diseases is the most widespread somatic effect. In research conducted both at the social and individual level, alcohol was found to increase the risk of death from a number of specific causes, including injury from traffic accidents and other trauma, violence, suicide, liver cirrhosis, cancer of the liver, breast cancer, haemorrhagic stroke, alcoholic psychosis, alcohol dependence and chronic pancreatitis. The apparent beneficial effect of modest alcohol consumption (one to three drinks per day) on mortality and morbidity rates particularly relating to cardiovascular disease on the other side are of recent interest. Public health policy should aim at reducing the harm done by alcohol use, whilst recognizing its perceived and possible real benefits. The aim of this review is to introduce the reader to the definition of alcohol dependence and alcoholism, and summarize our knowledge about the effects of alcohol consumption on the gastrointestinal tract.