One binge drinking episode may prove to be more harmful to an individual’s health than previously believed, according to new research. Scientists from the University of Massachusetts Medical School found that just one instance of binge drinking can have serious negative health consequences.

The team of researchers discovered that a single episode of binge drinking results in bacteria leaking from the gut, which leads to higher levels of toxins within the blood.

The study, which was published online in PLOS ONE, indicated that such bacterial toxins, known as endotoxins, force the body to produce immune cells that are involved in fever, tissue destruction, and inflammation.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that raises an individual’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to at least 0.08 grams percent. For men, this generally follows the consumption of five or more drinks, and four or more drinks for women, in approximately two hours.

Approximately one in six adults binge drinks at least four times per month, with a consumption of around eight drinks per binge, according to the CDC.

Dr. Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, lead study author, professor of medicine, vice chair of the Department of Medicine and associate dean for clinical and translational sciences at UMMS, said in a statement, “We found that a single alcohol binge can elicit an immune response, potentially impacting the health of an otherwise healthy individual.” He continued, “Our observations suggest that an alcohol binge is more dangerous than previously thought.”