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The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded a fresh alarm over alcohol consumption, declaring that no amount of alcohol is safe for human health. The global health body warned that alcohol “wrecks the heart, batters the brain, and poisons the liver,” stressing that it is officially classified as a Group 1 carcinogen — the same category as tobacco and asbestos.
According to the WHO, alcohol has been conclusively linked to at least seven forms of cancer, including those of the liver, breast, colon, rectum, throat, mouth, and oesophagus.
Nigeria A Nation Of Drinkers
In Nigeria, the warning has reignited debate over the country’s growing drinking culture — one that cuts across age, class, and geography. From imported spirits and beers to locally brewed drinks like palm wine, burukutu, pito, ogogoro (local gin), sekete, and kaikai, alcohol is woven into the fabric of social life.
Across many communities, alcohol is not merely a beverage; it is a symbol of celebration, hospitality, and masculinity. It is served at weddings, naming ceremonies, funerals, and village festivals. In rural areas, local brews remain the cheaper, more accessible option, while in urban centres, bars and lounges thrive as social hubs.
According to a 2023 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), alcohol consumption in Nigeria has risen by over 40% in the last decade, fuelled by youth demographics, unemployment, and aggressive marketing by breweries. Despite religious prohibitions in parts of the North, the country ranks among Africa’s largest consumers of alcohol.
Yet, behind the laughter and camaraderie that often accompany drinking lies a quiet health crisis.
Every Glass Carries Consequences
Research shows that even light or moderate drinking increases the risk of heart disease, liver damage, depression, and cancer. The WHO emphasizes that every glass, no matter how small, carries consequences.
Health experts say that while the effects of alcohol are devastating, the body’s capacity to recover once drinking stops is remarkable.
Professor Debbie Shawcross, a liver specialist at King’s College Hospital, London, explained:
“In the first few weeks there will be improvements in sleep quality, concentration, hydration, and digestion. In the long term, blood pressure will drop and stress on the liver will reduce.”
Doctors further note that quitting or cutting down alcohol improves life expectancy from day one.
The Hidden Dangers Of Local Brews
In Nigeria, the danger is not only in quantity but also in quality and production methods. Many local brews — especially ogogoro and kaikai — are produced under unregulated conditions, often distilled with unsafe additives or contaminated water. Several fatal incidents have been recorded in the South-South and South-West where adulterated gin led to mass poisonings.
Public health advocates warn that beyond the WHO’s general warning, unregulated local alcohol poses additional risks — including methanol poisoning, blindness, and acute liver failure.
Alcohol’s Assault On The Body
Alcohol disrupts nearly every organ system. It sedates the brain instead of promoting restful sleep, irritates the stomach lining, raises blood pressure, and triggers inflammation that can cause clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Neurologically, alcohol shrinks brain tissue, dulls mood, and interferes with dopamine and serotonin — chemicals essential for happiness and focus. Over time, memory loss, mood swings, and anxiety become common symptoms of long-term use.
The liver — the body’s detox powerhouse — processes almost all the alcohol consumed. But with consistent drinking, it becomes overloaded, leading to fatty liver, fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis, a deadly scarring of the liver. Cirrhosis, WHO notes, kills thousands annually and dramatically raises cancer risk.
The Body’s Remarkable Recovery
Despite the grim statistics, experts say the human body is forgiving. Within days of quitting alcohol, many experience relief from acid reflux, insomnia, indigestion, and fatigue.
In just weeks, blood pressure begins to normalise, the heart works more efficiently, and the liver starts to regenerate. Over months, the brain’s chemistry rebalances, leading to improved clarity, mood, and emotional stability.
In the long term, abstaining from alcohol reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and significantly improves overall quality of life.
The Numbers That Shock
While many believe in “moderate” drinking, the WHO cautions that even so-called safe limits are misleading. It advises consuming no more than 14 units per week — equivalent to six pints of beer or ten small glasses of wine.
However, studies show that even one drink a week can raise cancer risk by 3%. A daily small glass of wine increases breast cancer risk by 15%, while two bottles of wine a week raise the risk by 27%.
Globally, alcohol remains a leading cause of preventable disease and death, accounting for millions of deaths each year. In Nigeria, hospitals continue to record rising cases of liver failure, hypertension, accidents, and domestic violence linked to excessive drinking.
A Call For Public Awareness
Public health advocates are now urging the Nigerian government to intensify awareness campaigns and regulate both imported and local brews. They argue that while alcohol enjoys cultural acceptance, the silent health cost is enormous — draining families through hospital bills, lost productivity, and premature deaths.
The WHO insists that reducing consumption, or quitting altogether, is the only guaranteed protection. It calls on policymakers to raise taxes, ban misleading adverts, and enforce stricter controls on local production.
Nigeria’s vibrant drinking culture — from roadside bars to traditional palm-wine joints — is deeply rooted in history and hospitality. But as science now shows, every sip carries a hidden cost.
Whether imported champagne or local ogogoro, alcohol is not harmless. It may oil conversations, seal deals, and mark celebrations, but inside the body, it slowly chips away at the heart, the brain, and the liver.
In the words of WHO experts: “There is no safe level of alcohol consumption. The best drink for your health is none at all.”
