Increased levels of CCL11, a potent chemokine for IgE-producing eosinophils, may be compensating the reduced IgE levels (Helms, Messaoudi et al. 2012). In contrast, level of anti-inflammatory protein adiponectin increased (Joosten, van Erk et al. 2012). In summary, several in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that ethanol modulates the function of innate immune cells (monocytes and DCs) in a dose and time dependent manner (Figure 1).

How Does Alcohol Consumption Affect the Immune System?

While it is technically true that no level of alcohol is risk-free, neither are many daily activities, from driving to eating bacon. Still, there are some groups for whom going sober might be the best policy, such as those with a family history of addiction, liver disease or cancer, Anton says. Abstinence is also important for people who are pregnant, take medications that interact with alcohol or have certain genetic conditions. Catalase is localized to peroxisomes and requires hydrogen peroxide to oxidize alcohol into water and acetaldehyde. Alcohol metabolism can also take place in the pancreas by acinar and pancreatic stellate cells, which contributes to the development of alcoholic pancreatitis (Vonlaufen, Wilson et al. 2007). Additional studies are required to fully understand the role of ethanol metabolites and adducts in the development of alcoholic liver injury and organ damage.

Effects of alcohol on adaptive immunity

Heavy or chronic alcohol consumption definitely suppresses immune function. But even moderate alcohol intake can compromise immune responses, making people more susceptible to infections. Chronic alcohol exposure, and indeed even a single episode of binge drinking, can also damage the wall of the intestine.

Ethanol as Solvent

• Acetaldehyde is “very toxic to a lot of different tissues,” says Dr. Sarah Wakeman, senior medical director for substance-use disorder at Mass General Brigham.
• Alcohol–immune interactions also may affect the development and progression of certain cancers.
• However, that does not make them safer from alcohol use issues or the results of them, such as poor immune system health.
• In addition to compromising the immune cell function, chronic drinking and binge drinking can damage functions in the lungs, the gut, and the blood-brain barrier.
• Additional studies are required to fully understand the role of ethanol metabolites and adducts in the development of alcoholic liver injury and organ damage.

As reviewed by Szabo and Saha, alcohol’s combined effects on both innate and adaptive immunity significantly weaken host defenses, predisposing chronic drinkers to a wide range of health problems, including infections and systemic inflammation. Alcohol’s widespread effects on immune function also are underscored in the article by Gauthier, which examines how in utero alcohol exposure interferes with the developing immune system in the fetus. This exposure increases a newborn’s risk of infection and disease; additional evidence suggests that alcohol’s deleterious effects on immune development last into adulthood.

If you want to cut back or stop drinking, your doctor can help.

However, alcohol can interact negatively with these medications, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of treatment failure. Respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, are caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that invade the lungs. Normally, your immune system works to identify and eliminate these pathogens, but alcohol https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ can hinder this process.

• Alcohol use, even single episodes, increases the risk of pneumonia by suppressing the immune system and allowing infection opportunities to take hold.
• Alcohol misuse—which includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use—over time increases the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Persistent alcohol use elevates the risk of cardiovascular diseases, weakens cell-mediated immunity, and increases the risk of infections.
• This creates an environment where bacteria and viruses can thrive, increasing the risk of respiratory infections.
• But, they might not be the best choice for people with autoimmune diseases.
• The safest options are generally those with lower alcohol content and fewer additives, such as certain wines or pure spirits in moderation.

But drinking can weaken this system, leaving us vulnerable to infections and diseases. “Those at increased risk should cut down or abstain from alcohol because every little thing an individual can do to improve the health and reduce risk is worth it at this point, even if the evidence is not entirely clear,” Mroszczyk-McDonald said. Past data shows binge drinking can have a massive effect on the immune system.

What we don’t know: The significant limitations of alcohol-related health research

Clinicians have long observed an association between excessive alcohol consumption and adverse immune-related health effects such as susceptibility to pneumonia. Male rats on a liquid diet with 35% of calories coming from ethanol also showed enhanced mRNA half-life and protein expression of LPS-induced TNF-α by increasing TNF-α in liver monocytes/macrophages (Kishore, McMullen et al. 2001). Prolonged exposure of Mono Mac 6 cell line to 25mM, 50mM and 75mM ethanol for 7 days also reverses the initial inhibition of LPS or PMA-induced TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner (Zhang, Bagby et al. 2001).

• This increases the risk of respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, and other infectious diseases.
• Overall, avoid drinking more than moderate amounts if you want your immune system in good shape, says Favini.
• Alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on the gastrointestinal system, making it more susceptible to infections.
• Alcohol abuse can have devastating effects on both physical and mental health.
• Another way alcohol abuse weakens the immune system is by impairing the function of the lymphoid organs, such as the thymus and spleen.
• Individuals with AUD are often deficient in one or more essential nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, and thiamine (Hoyumpa 1986).

In addition to its direct effects on the immune system, alcohol can have an indirect impact on immunity through its actions in the stomach and intestines (GI tract). The GI tract is one of the first parts of the body to come into contact with alcohol and, as a result, bears the brunt of alcohol’s harmful effects. The risk to the immune system is not necessarily from drugs or alcohol, but from the toll, they take on the body. Many substances cause dehydration, mental or physical fatigue, and lack of food or sleep, which can result in a weakened immune system. When the immune system is down, it is at heightened risk for invasion of disease and infection.

This increased susceptibility has been recapitulated in rodent models of chronic alcohol abuse. Likewise, higher pathogen burden and decreased CD8 T cell immunity was observed in female mice administered ethanol at sober house 15% (w/v) for 5 days and challenged with Listeria monocytogenes (Gurung, Young et al. 2009). Similar results have been seen in SIV infection of male nonhuman primates (Bagby, Stoltz et al. 2003, Molina, McNurlan et al. 2006, Poonia, Nelson et al. 2006, Marcondes, Watry et al. 2008). Heavy drinking and chronic alcohol use can significantly impact the immune system and decrease immune function.