Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester in the United States have shown that drinking too much alcohol also affects the immune system and makes the drinker much more vulnerable to viral infections.
Scientists have exposed white blood cells, cells that are involved in the body’s lines of defense, to chemicals that mimic viruses and bacteria. Half of these white blood cells were also exposed to high levels of alcohol typically seen in the blood of people who drink four to five glasses a day for a whole week. During the test, the cells thus showed much less capacity to fight against viruses.
A less vigilant body against cancer?
And on the bacterial side, the diagnosis turned out to be even more serious. Exposed to substances mimicking bacteria, the “alcoholic” monocytes showed a double disturbance. Not only a drop in the amount of interferons but also a sharp increase in a substance called “tumor necrosis factor” which when overproduced damages tissue.
According to Dr. Szabo, these results coincide with medical data which indicate a higher mortality in heavy drinkers carrying HIV. They also confirm previous studies which have shown that the immune system of drinkers may be less vigilant against the development of cancer. Reasons which justify according to the scientist to alert drinkers of this potential risk.