Markers of chronic disease discovered in young

Alcohol use appears to trigger specific biological changes in the human body that are linked to the development of chronic disease. These biological changes are already apparent in young adults with a short history of alcohol consumption. A new study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found specific biomarkers of chronic disease across multiple biological systems related to both immediate and long-term alcohol use patterns.

Markers of chronic disease discovered in young, healthy drinkers. Markers of chronic disease discovered in young, healthy drinkers by Research Society on Alcohol edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan Gaby Clark Scientific Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Robert Egan Senior Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread The GIST Add as preferred source These biological changes are already apparent in young adults with a short history of alcohol consumption.

Recent large, long-term studies have found that consuming even small amounts of alcohol increases the risk of several chronic diseases. The current study explored the human biological mechanisms affected by alcohol use that might contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Researchers analyzed blood samples from healthy adults before and after they consumed low or moderate quantities of alcohol or a placebo.

Participants had an average age of 25, with half identified as light drinkers and half as heavy drinkers. Disruptions were observed across interconnected biological systems responsible for blood flow, immune function and metabolism. Some disruptions were linked to participants' historical drinking patterns, whereas others resulted from the amount of alcohol they consumed on the day of the test.

Participants with a history of heavy drinking showed higher levels of adiponectin, angiogenin, ICAM-1, LCN2 and sRAGE. These proteins play many roles in insulin regulation, inflammation and blood vessel function, and disruptions may contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes, dementia, heart disease and cancer.

Immediate, dose-dependent effects of alcohol consumption were also observed, including an increase in the pro-inflammatory protein sRAGE after participants drank a moderate dose and a decrease in sRAGE after a low dose. Altered levels of sRAGE are found in people with diabetes, hardened arteries and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

The researchers recommend that future studies include a larger and more diverse cohort of participants, a broader array of biomarkers, neuroimaging and multiomics profiling, as well as longer-term studies to better understand alcohol-related contributors to and mechanisms of cellular and tissue changes related to the development of chronic disease. More information Mollie A.

Monnig et al, Effects of Acute Low– and Moderate–Dose Alcohol on Chronic Disease–Related Biomarkers in Healthy Light and Heavy Drinkers, Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research (2026). DOI: 10.1111/acer.70362 Key medical concepts Adiponectin Lipocalin-2 Clinical categories Preventive medicine Healthy living Family medicine Common illnesses & Prevention Dedicated to trustworthy science news.

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