How to Minimize Cancer Causing Acetaldehyde Exposure from Alcoholic Beverages

Whenever you drink alcohol, your body breaks it down into acetaldehyde, a chemical that can increase your risk of developing cancer. While the chemical itself doesn't cause cancer, it can impair the healthy growth and function of the cells in your body. If a cell starts growing out of control, it can develop into a cancerous tumor. The best way to avoid this risk is simply not to drink alcohol. If you do drink alcohol, always drink in moderation and never to the point of drunkenness.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Limiting Alcohol Consumption

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1
Drink only 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages a day. To drink in moderation, health experts recommend no more than 1 alcoholic beverage a day for people assigned female at birth and 2 alcoholic beverages a day for people assigned male at birth. In this context, 1 alcoholic beverage means any drink that contains 0.6 fl oz (18 mL) of pure alcohol. Generally, this equates to 12 fl oz (350 mL) of beer, 8–9 fl oz (240–270 mL) of malt liquor, 5 fl oz (150 mL) of wine, or 1.5 fl oz (44 mL) (a "shot") of distilled spirits.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceNational Cancer InstituteAn agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient supportGo to source}
- The recommended limit is lower for people assigned female at birth because they tend to have a smaller body size than people assigned male at birth, and their bodies break down alcohol more slowly.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source}
- This doesn't mean having only 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages a day is "safe." It only means that your risk is significantly lower than it would be if you were a heavier drinker. Any consumption of alcohol increases your risk of developing cancer and other health conditions.^{[4]XResearch source}
2
Schedule the days during the week when you'll drink. Look at your week ahead and identify specific days that are okay to drink. Limit this to 2 or 3 days out of the week. On the other days, don't consume any alcohol at all.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceHealth.govOnline collection of health and fitness standards set by the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health PromotionGo to source}
- For example, if you normally go out with your friends to a bar or club on Saturday night, you might schedule that as one of your drinking days. That means you probably shouldn't drink on either Friday or Sunday. But you might go to a Thursday Happy Hour at the local drinking hole.
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3
Avoid alcohol completely if you're taking any medication. Medications used to treat chronic health conditions can increase not only the inebriating effects of alcohol but also your risk of cancer. Talk to your doctor about how your medication interacts with alcohol.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- With some medications, it might be permissible to occasionally have a drink or two. However, if you're currently undergoing any kind of cancer treatment, you should stay away from alcohol entirely.
- If you've been treated for cancer in the past, talk to your doctor before consuming alcohol. It's possible that drinking alcohol could cause your cancer to come back.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source}
- While this doesn't have anything to do with acetaldehyde exposure specifically, you should also abstain from alcohol if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant or have a health condition, such as liver disease, that can be made worse by drinking.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceHealth.govOnline collection of health and fitness standards set by the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health PromotionGo to source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Reducing Production of Acetaldehyde

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1
Stay away from tobacco smoke while drinking. Tobacco smoke contains acetaldehyde that can enter your body when you're exposed to secondhand smoke, even if you're not smoking yourself. When you smoke, you absorb even more acetaldehyde.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Alcohol might also increase the cancer risk associated with smoking by helping cells that line your mouth and throat more easily absorb the carcinogenic chemicals in cigarette smoke.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source}
- Smoking may also increase your risk of alcoholic pancreatitis, which irreversibly damages your pancreas and can put you at greater risk for developing pancreatic cancer.
2
Brush your teeth before and after drinking alcohol to decrease acetaldehyde. While there haven't been many scientific studies on this, there are a few that suggest brushing your teeth before consuming alcohol decreases the amount of acetaldehyde produced in your saliva. Brushing your teeth after drinking also helps flush any acetaldehyde in your saliva, so your body doesn't have to break it down.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Brushing your tongue and rinsing your mouth with mouthwash can also be beneficial if you're trying to reduce your exposure to acetaldehyde. Just make sure you're using an alcohol-free mouthwash.
3
Maintain good oral hygiene overall. Going to the dentist regularly and getting any tooth decay or gum disease treated promptly might also reduce the production of acetaldehyde in your mouth. In general, scientific research shows that if you have poor oral health, you tend to also have more acetaldehyde in your saliva when you drink.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Poor oral hygiene may also leave you more vulnerable to cancers of the mouth and throat, which exposure to acetaldehyde would only exacerbate.
4
Choose drinks such as gin and vodka with lower acetaldehyde levels. While your body produces acetaldehyde when breaking down alcohol, alcoholic beverages also contain different levels of acetaldehyde. Clear, non-flavored spirits, such as gin and vodka, tend to have less acetaldehyde than dark, fruity drinks, such as brandy or sherry.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Regular beer tends to have lower acetaldehyde content, though higher than clear spirits. Wine, on the other hand, has relatively high acetaldehyde content.
- Acetaldehyde content of alcoholic beverages isn't usually listed, but you can look up the content of your favorite drink online to get more specific information.
5
Avoid drinking to the point of intoxication. The acetaldehyde produced in your body is broken down mostly in your liver. However, drinking more than your liver can process results in a buildup of acetaldehyde. Over time, this can significantly increase your risk of cancer.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Some research has shown that many of the symptoms associated with being drunk might actually be a symptom of acetaldehyde buildup. If you feel yourself starting to get tipsy, stop drinking alcohol immediately and start drinking water. That will help your body break down the acetaldehyde.
6
Take L-cysteine tablets to reduce acetaldehyde in your saliva. You can order L-cysteine tablets online or buy them wherever nutritional supplements are sold. Taking these supplements before you drink can reduce the levels of acetaldehyde in your saliva, which might also reduce your risk of developing cancer as a result of acetaldehyde exposure.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Make sure you're getting L-cysteine, not the similar-sounding N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). NAC is a precursor of L-cysteine and does have antioxidant properties. However, it isn't beneficial in reducing acetaldehyde.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}

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What are the stages of colon cancer?
Gary Hoffman, MD
Colorectal Surgeon
Dr. Gary Hoffman is a board certified Colorectal Surgeon and the Clinical Chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Hoffman has helped to advance laparoscopic and robotic surgery for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Hoffman holds a BS from the University of California, Irvine, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Vanderbilt University. He completed his surgical internship at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and his surgical residency at Louisiana State University-Charity Hospital of New Orleans Medical Center. Dr. Hoffman is an Attending Surgeon in the Division of General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Hoffman is a member of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The Southern California Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, The American College of Surgeons, and The American Medical Association.
Gary Hoffman, MD
Colorectal Surgeon
Expert Answer
Colon and rectal cancers are staged using the TNM system based on tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and metastatic disease (M) and are numbered from 0 to 4. The stages range from early stages with no lymph node or metastatic involvement to advanced stages with lymph node or distant organ spread. The staging helps determine treatment strategies and provides insights into post-treatment life expectancy.
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Tips

If you frequently get hangovers, even when you drink in moderation, avoid alcohol entirely if you're concerned about exposure to acetaldehyde. Scientists have concluded that hangovers might be caused by a build-up of acetaldehyde in your body.^{[17]XResearch source}
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Genetics may largely determine your vulnerability to alcohol's cancer-causing effects. Some heavy drinkers may never develop cancer, while moderate or occasional drinkers can still develop alcohol-related cancers.
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Warnings

If you drink alcohol heavily, make a plan to stop as soon as possible. While this will prevent any further increase in your cancer risk, it won't necessarily decrease your risk—at least not right away. Even though it could take years to get down to the same level as a non-drinker, though, quitting is still the best choice for your overall health.^{[18]XTrustworthy SourceNational Cancer InstituteAn agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient supportGo to source}
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