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How does alcohol affect your immune system?

Whether you enjoy a small drink every once in a while, or partake more regularly, did you know drinking alcohol has negative effects on your immune system? Binge drinking and long-term alcohol use increases the risk of lasting damage, leading to longer recovery time and intensified symptoms when you have an infection.

How does the immune system work?

Simply put, the immune system is what protects our bodies from harmful substances, defends against infections and produces antibodies to help fight off any toxins, germs or viruses in the body (antigens). It’s important to maintain a healthy immune system to aid recovery when you’re unwell, lessening the intensity of symptoms and decreasing the risk of infections.

The effects of alcohol on the immune system

1. Liver damage

Excessive drinking over a long period of time affects your liver cells by reducing their ability to regenerate. This permanent damage to the liver weakens the immune system since your body will be more vulnerable to infections, such as urinary tract infections.

2. White blood cells

We need a healthy number of white blood cells for our immune system to produce antibodies that fight off infections and disease. Alcohol abuse has been found to decrease the number of white blood cells as well as impair their function, weakening the immune system and making it harder to recover and fight off antigens. This means that you may be unwell for longer or feel worse when you get sick.

3. Lung damage

The cells within the airways of our lungs can be affected by excessive alcohol use, reducing their ability to clear away mucous. This leads to lung damage and weaker lung function over time, making you particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.

4. Gut inflammation

As alcohol enters your body, it makes its way through your gastrointestinal system where it is absorbed into the bloodstream and triggers inflammation in your gut. This short-term effect destroys healthy gut bacteria and microorganisms that maintain a healthy immune system, protecting against food poisoning and bolstering the intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients.

5. Sleep quality

Long-term alcohol use can result in a lower sleep quality and chronic sleep problems such as insomnia. This has an indirect effect on the immune system as getting a high-quality sleep (between 7 to 9 hours per night) can strengthen the white blood cells in your body as well as generally enhance your health and decrease risk of heart disease.

How can I protect my immune system from the effects of alcohol?

Drinking less is the best way to protect your immune system from the effects of alcohol. The NHS recommends drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread across three days or more. The effects of alcohol are different on everyone, so generally aiming to drink as little as possible is most beneficial to living a healthier life.

We have many top tips about how to keep drinking to a minimum, especially during the holiday season where it may be more difficult, such as drinking mocktails or planning alcohol-free activities.

Want to learn more about having a healthier relationship with alcohol?

If you’re trying to drink less or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team today! Register with us to get a personalised action plan provided by our professional advisors and coaches who will help you to achieve your goals and live a healthier lifestyle.

How does this work?

The tailored approach LiveWell Dorset uses to come up with solutions to the things that are stopping us achieving our goals, is based upon work done by University College London developing the COM-B model of behaviour change. In this model, all behaviour is influenced by understanding a person’s capability to change, their opportunity to change and their motivation to change. By understanding which of these is the biggest barrier to change, we can tailor support accordingly. This model of behaviour change is at the centre of the support we offer, online and in person.

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