A new study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research clearly states that heavy drinking triggers DNA change. Such long-lasting genetic change leads to increased craving for alcohol. Professor Dipak K. Sarkar at Rutgers University-New Brunswick said that heavy drinkers are rapidly changing their DNA. He also asserted that these genetic changes will leave the drinkers with more craving for alcohol.
However, this new finding helps in understanding why alcoholism results in powerful addiction. Moreover, enhanced research on this may find new ways in reducing risks for highly alcohol addicted people.
Researchers May Identify Biomarkers to Prevent Heavy Drinkers’ Health Risks
According to a report by WHO, in 2016, approximately 3 million of people have died from excessive consumption of alcohol. This number constitutes total 5 percent of all worldwide deaths. Furthermore, mostly men occupy above three-quarters of alcohol-caused deaths. The harmful effect of alcohol not only cause deaths, but also leaves almost 5.1 percent of people globally into injuries.
Scientists from Yale University and Rutgers have majorly focused on two genes, implicate in controlling drinking behavior, namely PER2, POMC. The gene PER2 influences the biological clock of human bodies and POMC regulates humans’ stress-response system.
Researchers have found that these two genes change the most in the cases of heavy drinkers and binge. These genes alters due to the heavy influence of alcohol and they modify through the process of methylation. Moreover, researchers have also discovered the reduction in gene expression of heavy drinkers which leads them to more alcohol intake.