When was the last time you celebrated a birthday, a promotion, or even a "just because" gathering without alcohol? For many people in the UK, that scenario is almost unimaginable. Alcohol has been deeply woven into the cultural fabric of our society, almost like a reflexive backdrop to joy, celebration, sorrow, stress and everything in between. But is this "normal" relationship with alcohol as harmless as it seems?

Recent statistics paint a sobering picture. According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2023, 78% of adults in Great Britain reported drinking alcohol within the previous week. And it's not just casual drinking; nearly one in five adults consume more than 14 units of alcohol per week, surpassing the government's "low risk" drinking guidelines. Yet, this consistent and often heavy consumption is rarely questioned.

From gifting a bottle of wine for a birthday to popping champagne for anniversaries, alcohol isn't just accepted - it's expected. Peer pressure, subtle or overt, urges us to "just have one" or "live a little." Somehow, alcohol has become synonymous with fun, relaxation, and celebration.

But is it truly serving us?

Beyond the glittering marketing campaigns and cosy pub scenes, alcohol takes a significant toll on health - one that many choose to ignore. Regular consumption, even at "moderate" levels, can dramatically increase the risk of a host of serious health issues…

Imagine an ecosystem inside your body, teeming with trillions of tiny organisms, influencing everything from your digestion, to your mood, to your risk of chronic disease. This is the gut microbiome. And while it may be microscopic, its impact on your well-being is anything but small. In fact, it has been found that 70% of your body’s immune system resides in your gut lining - a huge reason why establishing optimal gut health is so important for healthy immune function. 

For years, scientists have known that bacteria live in the human body. But only recently have we begun to understand just how much they control. They communicate with our brain, shape our immune system, and even influence our hormones. The question is, what happens when this delicate balance is disrupted?

Your gut microbiome is a vast and complex community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live primarily in your intestines. This ecosystem actively participates in digestion, metabolism, and immune function. In fact, your gut contains more bacterial cells than human cells, meaning, in a way, you’re more microbe than human.

A healthy gut microbiome works in harmony with your body, aiding in the breakdown of food, the production of essential nutrients, and the regulation of inflammation. But when things go wrong, the consequences can be far-reaching.

“1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime” – a statistic we’ve all heard numerous times. This soundbite occurs in isolation, without context or explanation. Does this lead us to assume that there’s a 50% chance of each and every one of us getting cancer? That it’s a flip of the coin as to whether that dreaded fate is ours? How does it make us feel? I would expect that for the majority of people this elicits a degree of fear – a well-known tactic to manipulate people to take the action being suggested and “Donate Now”. But would people fear this statistic less if they were given more information? Instead of feeling powerless to the outcome of that dreaded coin flip, would they feel empowered to direct their fate towards one of health and vitality? My guess would be, probably.