Staying within the recommended daily limits and not exceeding them too often makes it less
likely that problems with the stomach will occur.
Alcohol irritates the digestive system, and even small amounts of it can cause your stomach to produce more
acid than usual. This can cause gastritis which is the inflammation of the stomach lining leading to stomach
pains, vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes bleeding.
Drinking has also been known to make it more difficult for the body to digest food and absorb the vital nutrients
that it needs to function properly. Alcohol does this by reducing the amount of digestive enzymes produced by the
pancreas in order to break down the fats and carbohydrates we eat.
There are other more severe digestive problems that can occur for those who drink heavily
on a regular basis, including acid reflux – where stomach acid burns your throat. This can
also lead to a peptic ulcer which is a painful open sore in the stomach lining. Sufferers from
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may find alcohol makes the condition worse. Those who
suffer from wheat intolerance should avoid drinking beer, lager and real ale as these drinks
are often brewed with wheat.
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