Drinking heavily and consistently over an adult’s lifetime could lead to a higher risk of colorectal cancer, according to a study published in the journal Cancer by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The study analyzed 20 years of data from more than 88,000 U.S. adults to determine how long-term drinking impacted the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) or precancerous colorectal adenomas (polyps).

The participants reported their average weekly intake of beer, wine and liquor intake during four age periods — 18 to 24, 25 to 39, 40 to 54,  and 55 and older.

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“Heavy drinkers” were identified as having more than 14 drinks per week and “moderate drinkers” had between seven and 14 drinks per week.

The observational research revealed that consistent heavy drinking over adulthood was linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer, especially rectal cancer.

Heavy lifetime drinking was associated with a 25% higher overall CRC risk and nearly double the risk of rectal cancer. Moderate lifetime drinking had a lower overall CRC risk.

Compared to light drinkers, the consistently heavy drinkers had about a 91% higher risk of CRC.

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For colorectal adenomas (precancerous polyps), higher current lifetime drinking did not show a strong pattern, although former drinkers showed a significantly lower risk of non-advanced adenoma compared to current light drinkers.

Out of the 88,092 participants, 1,679 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

The authors noted that the research was limited, as it was observational and not based on a clinical trial. It also hinged on self-reported alcohol use.

The findings suggest that consistently heavy alcohol intake and higher average lifetime consumption “may increase CRC risk, whereas cessation may lower adenoma risk,” the researchers stated. Associations “may differ by tumor site,” they added.

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The link between drinking alcohol and cancer is not a new discovery, according to health experts.

In a recent episode of the podcast “The Dr. Mark Hyman Show,” Dr. Mark Hyman, chief medical officer of Function Health in California, detailed how even moderate drinking can impact “nearly every organ system in the body,” due to metabolic stress, inflammation, impaired detoxification and its effect on hormones.

Drinking has been found to increase the risk of many cancers, metabolic dysfunction, gut microbiome disturbances and mitochondrial toxins, Hyman said.

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“Bottom line, alcohol taxes every major system in your body, especially your liver, your brain, your gut, your hormones,” he warned.

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Pinchieh Chiang, a clinician at Circle Medical in San Francisco, shared that taking a break from drinking alcohol for longer periods of time can “reshape health more profoundly.”

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“Over months to a year, we see sustained improvements in blood pressure, liver function and inflammation,” she said. “Those changes directly affect long-term heart disease and stroke risk.”

Chiang added, “Reducing or eliminating alcohol lowers the risk of several cancers, including breast and colorectal, over time.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.

A mysterious hum is reportedly plaguing the residents of Cincinnati, keeping people up at night and even disturbing them psychologically.

Residents of the Northside, Clifton and Camp Washington neighborhoods have been reporting the disturbances since December. The noises are said to be louder and more noticeable at night.

“We were hearing this siren-like quality noise — whirring, oscillating, going up and down,” said Clifton resident Shaun Herold, who contacted local news outlet WKRC about the noises.

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“My son came up to me and said, ‘Dad, the tornado sirens are going off,’” Herold said. “Usually, it starts at about 10 p.m. It can go till 3 a.m., 4 a.m. But it’s quite unpredictable.”

“It kind of stresses me out ’cause I don’t know what it is. It’s kind of scary,” added his son, Elijah Herold.

Herold said he spent one entire night tracking how many times he heard the noise going on and off. The duration of the noises can vary from a few seconds to several minutes.

“I feel like it’s definitely like a foreign sound,” Northside’s Brendan Marcum told the news outlet. “Some nights it would be a little louder, some nights it would be a little quieter.”

“It kind of stresses me out because I don’t know what it is, and it’s kind of scary,” added another resident.

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Hundreds of Cincinnati residents have shared their theories about potential sources of the sound on social media, ranging from biblical to supernatural.

On Reddit, other users blamed the recycling plant. “My favorite theory is River Metals Recycling,” one person wrote, claiming that the plant moved neighborhoods when the original location “wouldn’t put up with the noise from its metal shredder any longer.”

Others suspect the noise is coming from a failing turbocharger on a diesel train engine at the nearby CSX Queensgate, a major freight rail yard in Cincinnati. 

While the yard routinely generates loud, mechanical sounds, residents say they’ve never heard anything like this before.

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WKRC reported that an anonymous source sent recordings of the locomotive, claiming it to be the source of the sound. However, a spokesperson for CSX told the news station that he “has not heard a noise like that on our property” and suggested it could be coming from another location.

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He added that any equipment requiring maintenance is “handled through established operating and mechanical protocols.”

“We just hope to get to the bottom of it, figure out what it is, and if it’s, you know, a temporary thing or not,” Herold told the news outlet. “And hopefully the community can rally if it’s not temporary, because it’s really impacting us.”

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City officials recommend that residents report the noise to 311, the city’s non-emergency line.

Fox News Digital reached out to Cincinnati officials for updates.

Pilates may have a reputation for being “girly,” but a new social media trend is crushing the assumption that it’s easy.

Male athletes and “gym bros” are being humbled by the challenge of Pilates and sculpt — workouts that are typically dominated by women.

Viral videos show men wincing, clenching and shaking their way through classes, both on mats and on strengthening machines called reformers.

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Melania Antuchas, a Florida-based hot Pilates and sculpt instructor, jumped in on the trend, posting videos of private classes with men that have received millions of views.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Antuchas, who teaches a 50-minute signature class combining strength training and mat Pilates, said that athletic men find the class surprisingly difficult due to their training history.

“We target the tiny muscle fibers, so it’s the muscles that you don’t use in the gym,” she said. “We’re using those big quads in the gym, we’re using heavy weights, but with just your body weight and heel raises and a band and the layering, that is the true challenge. They’re not used to challenging their balance, their mobility, their instability.”

“After I taught that first initial class for all men, every single one of them was asking for the next one because of how much it challenged them,” Antuchas added.

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After recently hosting the men of the Raleigh Rugby Club, Raleigh Pilates in North Carolina posted a video where the men appear to struggle through sets of leg lifts, lunges, shoulder presses, abs and stretches on the reformer.

Studio owner Rae Matthews noted that Pilates challenges “stronger people” differently, as athletes and weightlifters typically focus on “big global muscles,” while Pilates asks them to “slow down, stabilize and control movement through full range of motion.” 

“A lot of people are surprised because the exercises look small, but they feel really intense because the work is coming from deep stabilizers rather than momentum or brute force,” she told Fox News Digital.

What is Pilates?

Pilates was originally developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s to help rehabilitate injured soldiers and ballet dancers, according to Brookelyn Suddell, director of group fitness strategy and development at Crunch Fitness in New York. 

The method aimed to put muscles under controlled tension to build strength, flexibility and mobility, which is the “foundation for effective movement,” she told Fox News Digital.

Today, Pilates has incorporated more equipment, sculpt techniques for strength training, and heated settings, Antuchas noted.

“It’s a slow and controlled, non-stop, low-impact workout,” she said. “It’s about precision, it’s about control, it’s about core strength.”

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Suddell added that Pilates builds a “special kind” of balanced and functional strength, working the stabilizers around each joint.

“That means your whole body is working in harmony, from your core to your limbs,” she said. “Even our Crunch CEO Jim Rowley — a Marine vet, lifelong lifter and all-around powerhouse — credits Pilates with skyrocketing his core strength and mobility.”

The experts agreed that men can benefit from the exercise just as much as women, as the practice can improve their overall gym performance, athletic pursuits, posture and longevity.

“I think the key to getting more men involved is reframing Pilates as intelligent strength training and injury prevention, not a soft workout,” Matthews said.

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Words of caution

The primary reason that most people seek strength training and Pilates is to help with lower back pain, according to Antuchas.

The trainer warned that no one should feel pain during a Pilates and sculpt workout, and that modifications should be made as needed, particularly when there is strain in the neck or lower back.

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Antuchas, who teaches all ages ranging from 18 to 70+, said her workouts are intentionally challenging without requiring extra equipment, as the foundational movements are demanding enough on their own.

Those new to Pilates should consult a doctor before starting to make sure it is appropriate for them.

“People should be mindful if they have recent injuries or surgeries; chronic back or neck pain; hip, shoulder, knee limitations; or limited spinal mobility,” Suddell advised.

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Matthews agreed that those with acute injuries, recent surgeries, osteoporosis or pregnancy should work with “well-trained, educated instructors who understand modifications.”

“When Pilates is taught thoughtfully, it’s actually one of the safest and most supportive forms of movement available, but expertise matters so much.”