Water and sodium are interrelated in that, for example, retention of increased sodium is followed by retention of fluid and vice versa. Sodium-sensitive individuals may experience high blood pressure from excess amounts of sodium in the diet. The American Heart Association has developed specific guidelines for sodium intake. Dietary adjustments may be beneficial. Sodium intake may have little effect in persons without hypertension but may have a profound effect in those sodium-sensitive individuals.
Alcohol use increases the risk of liver cancer .
Smoking combined with alcohol intake increase the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, and the esophagus. Continued and excessive use of alcohol can damage the liver in various ways including the development of a fatty liver. A fatty liver can progress to cirrhosis of the liver . The presence of alcohol impairs the absorption of essential nutrients because it can damage the lining of the small intestine and the stomach where most nutrients are digested. Alcohol also requires some vitamins in its metabolism , and it interferes with the absorption and storage of some specific vitamins.