Consuming alcohol in moderation usually won’t negatively impact your health. However, individuals who regularly drink excessive amounts of alcohol could experience severe liver damage in the long term. But can the liver repair itself after years of drinking? Well, the answer is both yes and no.
In this article, we take a closer look at how alcohol affects the liver, symptoms of liver disease, and whether the liver can repair itself. Here’s what you should know about the impact alcohol has on the liver.
How Alcohol Affects the Liver
Regardless of how much you drink, alcohol is toxic to the liver. According to Piedmont Healthcare, the liver has enzymes that help digest and process alcohol. But when the liver is processing the alcohol, it damages the enzymes and can reduce cells. This takes a toll on the body and it requires time to recover.
Damage of the liver by alcohol is called alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD). There are different symptoms, stages, and recovery processes that depend on how much alcohol a person consumes.