The impact of alcohol on men's health

Alcohol is often seen as a social norm, but its impact on men’s health goes far beyond the occasional hangover. From hormone balance to heart health, liver function and mental wellbeing – understanding the effects alcohol can have allows you to make informed choices about your lifestyle.

Hormone health

Testosterone plays a vital role in male health, from muscle strength to mood and energy levels, balanced testosterone is essential to feeling your best.

Testosterone helps with:

• Maintaining bone density and muscle mass

• Regulating sex drive and mood

• Producing red blood cells

• Supporting fertility and sperm production

• Distributing fat in the body

While the occasional drink is unlikely to cause harm, men who drink regularly or excessively have been shown to have lower testosterone levels. Alcohol can interfere with the glands and hormones that regulate testosterone production, including the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. It may also damage the Leydig cells in the testes, which are responsible for making testosterone.

So in short, yes, drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels. The more you drink, and the more often, the more likely it is to have an effect. Heavy or chronic alcohol use can significantly reduce testosterone in men.

Liver health

Your liver plays a crucial role in keeping your body chemistry balanced and healthy. It processes alcohol, filters toxins from your blood, stores essential nutrients and helps regulate your metabolism. However, excessive or long-term alcohol consumption can lead to serious liver conditions, including fatty liver disease, hepatitis and cirrhosis.

According to this report from The Health Foundation, in 2023/24, there were 340,000 hospital admissions for alcohol-specific conditions, with alcohol misuse estimated to cost £4.9 billion per year to the NHS and healthcare services; a stark reminder of the toll alcohol can take on liver health.

Heart health

Research has shown that drinking large amounts of alcohol can greatly increase your risk of having a stroke – this is because alcohol has been identified as a causal factor in more than 60 medical conditions, including high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for strokes, contributing to over 50% of all strokes in the UK. The recommended limit for alcohol intake is no more than 14 units per week for men, which during 2022 was found to be exceeded by 32% of men – putting them at increased risk.

Mental health

Alcohol is a depressant that alters brain chemistry with regular drinking lowering serotonin levels, contributing to feelings of anxiety and depression. Over time, this can create a harmful cycle where alcohol is used to self-medicate, worsening symptoms.

In this study, Alcohol Change found that the higher the units of alcohol consumed in a week, the higher the percentage of people reported experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Mental Health Foundation found that men are nearly 3 times more likely than women to develop alcohol dependence.

Sexual health

Alcohol can also have a significant impact on men’s sexual health – in 2025 it is estimated that around 1 in 5 UK men experienced some form of Erectile Dysfunction, around 10% as a result of smoking or alcohol.

Alcohol impairs blood flow and nerve response, which are crucial for arousal and erections. This means that over time this can manifest as:

• Reduced sexual desire (libido)

• Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection

• Poor sexual performance

• Fertility problems

Cancer risk

Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization; this means there is enough evidence to show that alcohol causes cancer.

The evidence shows that any amount of alcohol can increase the risk of cancers including:

• Mouth cancer

• Throat cancer

• Larynx cancer

• Oesophageal cancer

Drinking 2 or more drinks per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer and 3 or more drinks per day increases the risk of stomach and liver cancer.

How Bluecrest can help

Bluecrest’s health assessment packages include a range of tests that allow you to monitor your health and see the areas that could be affected by your alcohol consumption such as your liver or heart.

Understanding how alcohol affects your body is the first step toward better health. Whether you’re cutting back or just curious, regular health assessments can give you peace of mind and help you make informed decisions.

Want to find out insights about your health? Book your health assessment today!

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