Do People of Asian Descent Have Difficulty Metabolizing Alcohol?
- Written By: S.E. Smith
- Edited By: Niki Foster
- Last Modified Date: 07 May 2013
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2003-2013 Conjecture Corporation
Some people of Asian descent have noticed that they have difficulty handling alcohol, expressed by excessive facial redness, sweating, increased body temperature, and a higher heart rate after consuming a small amount of alcohol. This syndrome is called “Asian flush” and can be deeply embarrassing, especially if it arrives unexpectedly. This causes many people to think that people of Asian descent cannot process alcohol, although this is not strictly true. The reaction can affect non-Asians as well, but the genetic mutation that causes it is much more common among people of Asian descent.
When most people consume alcohol, it is processed by two liver enzymes. The first, alcohol dehydrogenase, converts the alcohol to acetaldehyde. The second, aldehyde dehydrogenase, converts the acetaldehyde into acetic acid, which can then be broken down into carbon dioxide and water, which can be harmlessly expressed from the body. With excessive consumption, this process can take some time, as most college students have discovered, but the liver will eventually metabolize the alcohol.
Many people of Asian descent, however, have a genetic mutation that limits the formation of aldehyde dehydrogenase, resulting in a build up of acetaldehyde, which can be toxic in large quantities. The symptoms of Asian flush are indicators that the toxin has built up enough to cause the body to try to get rid of it through sweat or vomiting in extreme cases. If the problem sets in, alcohol consumption should be stopped for the evening to allow the body to metabolize what is already in the person's system.
Asian flush, like all alcohol tolerance issues, is to some extent genetic. It can also be affected by factors such as body type or whether or not food has been consumed with the meal. The condition also does not act in the same way for all people it affects. Some, for example, can drink several beers before suffering ill effects, while others can have only a small amount of alcohol before feeling ill. It is a good idea for all people to understand the limits of their body and not to exceed them.
There is evidence to suggest that some measures can be taken to decrease the effects of this problem. Consumption of sugars has been linked with an increased ability to metabolize alcohol. Sufferers might want to consider ordering drinks with a high fructose content or eating sweets shortly before drinking. It is also a good idea to avoid spicy foods and warm ambient temperatures, which will lead to flushing even without alcohol.
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anon333374
Post 10 |
I'm oriental and I get it really bad. After consuming not even a glass of alcohol, my vomiting kicks in. My limit is a couple of sips, but I can just about have a glass of cocktail e.g pina colada which does not even have that much alcohol in it. Didn't realise it was called an 'asian flush'. Anyway, I'm glad my body can't take alcohol; it saves me so much money! I know I can have fun without it. Another great factor: I also know that I will never become an alcoholic. Also, my body is healthier because of it! So if you are affected by asian flush, think of all the positive outcomes of not drinking alcohol! Not to mention, you'll never get a drink and drive ban or risk killing someone on the road from it. |
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anon330157
Post 9 |
The girls in my immediate family have the flush syndrome and we have it bad. One ounce of hard liquor and a headache starts, with the typical flushing and rapid heart rate. More than that and we are rolling on the ground vomiting with a migraine. Drunkenness is nothing I have felt before. Only pain! What's sad is that in our social culture in North America, people will witness this reaction and hear our plea of "I'm alcohol intolerant," and they respond by telling us to drink more. Maybe people need to ease up a little? Get informed about the situation. When I was younger, it used to bother me so much. Now I've met people who can understand my dilemma and appreciate that I can still go to the bar with them sober. So if you're reading this and are in torment over your inability to do as the North American youth do, relax! You're who you are. At least you can be a designated driver and make sure everyone gets home safe. And you can remember all their embarrassing stories and rub it in their faces later! |
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fBoyle
Post 8 |
@anamur-- I don't know all the details but it apparently works by preventing the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body.
I used an Asian flush syndrome supplement briefly. It did help reduce flushing but it didn't do much for other symptoms that I get from alcohol like migraines and nausea. I think it works best when you only have one or two drinks. If I have more than three drinks while on the supplement, I still flush as usual.
The best remedy for this syndrome is avoiding alcohol completely. I know many of us with Asian descent don't want to do that. But it is obvious that we're not wired for consuming alcohol. Our body just can't tolerate it. |
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anamur
Post 7 |
Someone recommended a similar supplement to me the other day to prevent Asian flush. How does it work exactly?
Is it safe?
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simrin
Post 6 |
I think I get Asian flush. My background is Central Asian and I have very low tolerance for alcohol. I not only get drunk very quickly but I also almost always get sick after drinking. I've spent many nights vomiting after a few drinks. I experience some facial redness as well but not as bad as some far east Asians do. Of course, my condition gets worse the higher the alcohol content in drinks. Hard liquor affects me very badly. I do slightly better with cocktails and beer. |
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anon316064
Post 5 |
Are any non-Asians familiar with this? I do not have any Asian blood, as far as I know, but get this after drinking the only alcohol I can tolerate at all -- sake -- and only half a sake "glass" will have me bright red and tipsy. Very frustrating. I'll try the Pepcid AC so I can enjoy a drink with friends!
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anon278218
Post 3 |
Actually, there's now a natural supplement you can take called AF Formula (by Goldwin Health). Me and three friends have been using it and it has stopped our flushing/blushing. |
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anon40396
Post 2 |
Famotidine (pepcid AC) is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. The redness that is seen with the flush is from histamine, the same type of redness seen after an insect bite or other itchy rashes and in this case the alcohol flushing syndrome. Pepcid blocks this and won't make you sleepy like benadryl would. |
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anon26696
Post 1 |
I don't know how it works, but taking Pepcid AC prior to or with alcohol greatly reduces "Asian flush". |
