"There Is No Safe Drinking"... Frequent Year-End Parties Raise Red Flags for Liver Health

Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences:
"Those Who Flush After Drinking Are High-Risk;
Patients With Preexisting Liver Diseases Must Abstain Completely"

As the year-end approaches, the number of year-end parties and various gatherings is increasing, and so is the frequency of alcohol consumption.

Frequent drinking occasions place a significant burden on digestive health, especially the liver, which is why experts are urging extra caution.

Hyungjun Kim, Chief of Gastroenterology at the Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, stated, "Medically speaking, there is no such thing as safe drinking," and added, "Alcohol acts as a toxin in our bodies, yet Korean society remains excessively tolerant of drinking."

During the process of being metabolized in the liver, alcohol generates a toxic substance called acetaldehyde. This substance triggers systemic inflammation and increases the risk of various digestive diseases.

Kim explained, "Repeated damage and recovery caused by acetaldehyde can lead to cellular mutations, which may develop into cancer. People whose faces turn red after drinking should be especially cautious, as this is a sign of a deficiency in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes."

He also clarified, "The belief that drinking frequently increases your alcohol tolerance is a misconception. The amount of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes is unrelated to how often you drink."

Patients diagnosed with existing liver diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis must abstain from alcohol altogether, as even minimal drinking can worsen liver damage. In particular, for patients with cirrhosis, even those diagnosed at a young age, there have been cases where thorough abstinence has led to partial recovery of liver function, making abstinence a key aspect of treatment.

Older adults should not base their drinking habits on their previous tolerance, as muscle mass decreases with age, significantly reducing the body's ability to metabolize alcohol. Postmenopausal women also experience a reduction in muscle mass due to decreased female hormones, resulting in a greater physical burden from the same amount of alcohol compared to men. Binge drinking, in particular, increases the risk of various complications.

Kim urged people to follow a few principles even when drinking is unavoidable. First, limit drinking to once a week, and allow at least two to three days between drinking occasions to give the liver time to recover. According to the recommendations of the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver, it is advisable for men to consume no more than half a bottle of soju (about four glasses) and for women, no more than two glasses of soju per session. Habits such as drinking soju more than twice a week, consuming more than half a bottle at a time, or drinking more than 500cc of beer in one sitting should be avoided.

While foods like bean sprout soup, seaweed soup, or drinks containing oriental raisin tree extract may provide temporary relief, the most effective preventive measure is to reduce alcohol consumption itself, rather than relying on supplements or medications. Since alcohol metabolism occurs not only in the liver but also in muscles, maintaining or increasing muscle mass through regular exercise is also beneficial.

Frequent vomiting, persistent heartburn, or stabbing abdominal pain may be signs of esophagitis, gastritis, gastric ulcers, or even stomach cancer. Frequent diarrhea after drinking may be associated with an increased risk of colon polyps or colorectal cancer. If you experience sudden and severe abdominal pain after heavy drinking, acute pancreatitis should be suspected. If these symptoms recur or persist for more than 24 hours, it is essential to visit a hospital for an accurate diagnosis.

Kim emphasized, "It is easy to neglect your health amid the festive year-end atmosphere, but cutting back on alcohol and giving your liver adequate rest is the most reliable way to protect your long-term health."