Alcohol intake increases during festivals and celebrations, but its effects on the body depend on how often a person drinks. Harvard, Stanford and AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi explained the difference between drinking occasionally and frequently in a detailed post on his Instagram account.
He described how drinking frequency, from once a month to daily, can affect the liver, gut, sleep, and overall metabolism. His breakdown shows that even small increases in drinking frequency can lead to serious health effects over time.
What happens when you drink once a month
Dr Sethi said there’s minimal cumulative liver load when you drink once a month. However, you may experience “worse sleep that night” and “some dehydration.”
A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that physically active people have a lower risk of heart disease, liver fat accumulation, and early death—even if they drink moderately—compared to those with a sedentary lifestyle.
Still, exercise only reduces, not removes, the risk of long-term health problems related to alcohol.
Minimal liver load, but you may have worse sleep and dehydration that night.
2. What happens when you drink once a week?
Liver stress begins, sleep quality drops, and acute dehydration may occur.
3. What happens when you drink three to five times a week?
Cortisol spikes, early insulin resistance, slower metabolism, and poor sleep quality.
4. What happens when you drink daily?
Severe liver damage or failure, complete metabolic breakdown, and higher risk of several cancers.
5. Can exercise help mitigate these risks?
Exercise supports liver and metabolic health but cannot undo alcohol’s long-term damage.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
He described how drinking frequency, from once a month to daily, can affect the liver, gut, sleep, and overall metabolism. His breakdown shows that even small increases in drinking frequency can lead to serious health effects over time.
What happens when you drink once a month
Dr Sethi said there’s minimal cumulative liver load when you drink once a month. However, you may experience “worse sleep that night” and “some dehydration.”What happens when you drink once a week
At this stage, liver stress begins, and sleep quality starts to fall, Dr Sethi shared, citing a study. Weekly drinking can also cause acute dehydration and affect the body’s recovery process.What happens when you drink three to five times a week
According to Dr Sethi, frequent drinking triggers cortisol spikes, the body’s stress hormone, and early signs of insulin resistance appear. Metabolism slows down, and sleep quality continues to worsen.What happens when you drink daily
Dr Sethi warned that daily alcohol use can result in severe liver damage or even failure. The body’s metabolic system breaks down, and the risk of cancers such as liver, pancreatic, and breast cancer increases significantly.Can exercise offset the effects?
Experts say regular exercise can improve liver function, insulin sensitivity, and blood circulation. It can also help the body handle stress better. However, it cannot completely reverse the damage caused by frequent drinking.A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that physically active people have a lower risk of heart disease, liver fat accumulation, and early death—even if they drink moderately—compared to those with a sedentary lifestyle.
Still, exercise only reduces, not removes, the risk of long-term health problems related to alcohol.
FAQs
1. What happens when you drink once a month?Minimal liver load, but you may have worse sleep and dehydration that night.
2. What happens when you drink once a week?
Liver stress begins, sleep quality drops, and acute dehydration may occur.
3. What happens when you drink three to five times a week?
Cortisol spikes, early insulin resistance, slower metabolism, and poor sleep quality.
4. What happens when you drink daily?
Severe liver damage or failure, complete metabolic breakdown, and higher risk of several cancers.
5. Can exercise help mitigate these risks?
Exercise supports liver and metabolic health but cannot undo alcohol’s long-term damage.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
