If you have ever noticed you or a friend's face turning bright red after just a sip or two of alcohol, you might wonder: Is there something in alcohol that doesn't agree with me or them?
The terms "Asian flush" or "Asian glow" are often thrown around to describe this kind of reaction to alcohol, these symptoms are often mistaken for an alcohol allergy. But the true cause is something different. As we go through and unpack this weird phenomenon, we will look into why alcohol and people of Asian descent do not mix too well.
Luckily, there is a solution to reduce the effects of these symptoms by using our Asian flush patches, brought to you by Flush Off. But before we look into our remedy, let's tackle the main question, Is really an allergy to alcohol in the Asian community? And if there is, what could be the reason behind it.
So, sit back, and let's dive in.
Are Asians Allergic To Alcohol?
Let's address the burning question: Are Asians allergic to alcohol?
A simple answer to that is Asians are not ‘allergic’ to alcohol. However, they do experience something commonly known as Asian flush or alcohol flush reaction which is an alcohol intolerance rather than an allergy Whilst the symptoms may be similar, having a true allergic reaction to alcohol is very rare.
Asians tend to have this problem more frequently than other ethnic groups, which has resulted in the popular term ‘Asian Flush’. Although other any person from any ethnic background can have this intolerance.
The Science Behind Asian Flush
Asian alcohol intolerance happens comes down to missing or limited genetics and enzyme functionality. While Asians aren't truly allergic to alcohol, they are know to carry these genetic deficiencies more often.
When you drink alcohol, your body uses enzymes to break it down. The first enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), starts of this process by turning alcohol into a substance called acetaldehyde, which is toxic. Then, another enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) jumps in to change acetaldehyde into a less harmful compound called acetate. This whole process helps your body get rid of alcohol.
But for some people, especially Asians or people of asian descent, this normal bodily function does not work as well due to a ALDH2 genetic deficiency. This results in a build up of acetaldehyde in the body, which results in reactions like flushing, faster heart rate, nausea, and discomfort.
Symptoms Of Asian Flush
When it comes to Asian flush there are a wide range of symptoms you may get, they range from rather mild to severe reactions. Here are a few symptoms you may come across:
Facial flushing - One of the most main symptoms is the sudden reddening of the face, neck, and chest. This facial flushing can occur within a few sips of alcohol.
Increased heart rate - Many people with Asian flush experience rapid heartbeat or palpitations after drinking alcohol. This can result in anxiety or panic attacks.
Nausea or sickness - People can also experience a nauseous or sick feeling after drinking alcohol.
Headaches - Headaches are another common symptom, this can range from mild headache to a pounding/splitting migraine.
Dizziness - Feeling lightheaded or dizzy is another common symptom after drinking alcohol.
Tight throat or chest - In some cases people with Asian flush can get a tight chest or throat and struggle to breath.
Bloodshot eyes - Your eyes can also get rid and itchy.
These symptoms can defiantly vary from person to person and can increase and decrease in severity dependent on a few different things like the amount of alcohol consumed, the indeviduels tolerance to alcohol, and also the type of alcohol consumed. may be influenced by factors such as the type and amount of alcohol consumed.
So, Why Do Asians Get Asian Flush?
With many Asians experiencing Asian flush, this raises the question: Why do Asians seem to experience this reaction to alcohol more frequently than other ethnic groups?
Research suggests that the roots of this phenomenon can be traced back thousands of years to Southern China. This was during the era of rice cultivation and with the new technology of fermentation, this led to alcoholic drinks being introduced into east asian diets.
As alcohol consumption became more widespread among mainly East Asian, it posed a unique challenge to their bodies. Unlike other ethnic groups who had a longer history of alcohol consumption, Asians were not genetically ready or adapted to efficiently metabolize alcohol. This has resulted in Asian flush being as prevalent as it is today.
Asian Flush Solution
Our Asian flush patches are one of the best solutions to reducing the unwanted symptoms of Asian flush. These patches provide relief by delivering active ingredients directly to the skin, which results in the effective reduction in symptoms such as getting a red face, increased heart rate, and nausea. Our patches are transparent and discreet design which makes them ideal for use in social settings, offering users the freedom to enjoy alcohol without worrying about embarrassing symptoms. Other strategies include, drinking slower, drinking the right drinks and staying hydrated with water. Try our Alcohol Flush patches today!