A recent study has found that binge drinking has a profound effect on the liver, more so than previously thought . Whilst chronic alcohol abuse will of course cause more injury to the liver, binge drinking may sensitize the liver over a longer period and make it more prone to damage.
In the study they compared effects of binge drinking when coupled with chronic alcohol consumption and also isolated cases of binge drinking not associated with chronic consumption.
The conclusion was that binge drinking amplified injury to the liver when there was pre exposure due to chronic alcohol consumption.
Binge drinking creates an inflammatory response in the liver sending out damaging signals to other systems in the body, affecting the functions of other organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain.
So, long after the hangover has gone, the toll on the body persists!