00:04What if the alcohol you drink could damage your DNA before your body even has time to repair it?
00:10A new study in mice may have revealed one of the key reasons alcohol is linked to a higher risk
00:16of several types of cancer.
00:18Researchers found that when the body breaks down alcohol, it produces a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde.
00:25This substance can attack DNA inside blood-forming stem cells, causing serious damage, including double-strand breaks.
00:33In some cases, pieces of DNA were deleted, chromosomes were rearranged, and the cells were permanently altered.
00:41These findings may help explain why alcohol consumption has been associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, breast,
00:51liver, and intestines.
00:52Although the research was conducted in mice, it provides strong evidence that alcohol's effects go beyond temporary intoxication.
01:00They may directly harm the cells responsible for producing vital tissues.
01:05So the next time you think about alcohol's risks, remember, the damage may be.
