Turning red after drinking an alcoholic beverage with some friends is not a good thing. In fact, it indicates that your body is unable to efficiently process alcohol. Often referred to as the “Asian Glow” or the “Asian Flush,” this condition is due to a deficiency of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 enzyme (ALDH2) and affects approximately 30-50% of East Asians [1]. Typically, when alcohol is ingested, there are two main enzymes that the body uses to metabolize alcohol: alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. First, alcohol dehydrogenase will convert the alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical. Then, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 breaks down the toxic acetaldehyde into the non-toxic compounds acetate and water [2]. Those who have the “Asian Glow” are missing this critical second enzyme, which results in an accumulation of acetaldehyde. The build-up of acetaldehyde causes blood vessels to dilate, which gives those with the Asian Glow the characteristic facial redness. Additionally, it can cause a rapid heartbeat, nausea, headaches, itchiness, red eyes, difficulty breathing, and many other not-so-fun symptoms [2].
What most people don’t know is that acetaldehyde is a carcinogen: it causes cancer. In fact, in a series of studies done by Akira Yokoyama and his colleagues in Japan comparing individuals with a functional ALDH2 gene to those with an inactive variant, they showed that individuals with a copy of the inactive variant of the gene for ALDH2 were 6-10 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than are those with the fully functioning ALDH2 enzyme who drink similar amounts of alcohol [3]. Furthermore, individuals with the inactive ALDH2 enzyme who drink 33 or more U.S. standard drinks per week are at an eighty-nine-fold higher risk of esophageal cancer compared to a non-drinker with an inactive enzyme [3].
It might seem unusual that such a large population of East Asians specifically are affected by this odd condition. How would something like this start? The answer may be quite simple: rice. The first cases of the Asian Glow were reported 10,000 years ago, which corresponds to when humans first began cultivating rice. Researchers hypothesize that the genetic mutation that causes an adverse reaction to alcohol consumption arrived to protect early farmers from negative effects of alcohol use [4].
Unfortunately, there is no currently-known cure for the negative effects of the Asian Glow. Some have resorted to taking antihistamines to reduce the redness. Antihistamines reduce or block histamines, the compound that dilates blood vessels and results in the reddening of the face. The body turns red for a reason: acetaldehyde is in its system. The redness is the body’s way of indicating that it’s being damaged. Therefore, reducing the redness not only proves ineffective in treating the negative health effects of the Asian Glow, but also may mask the body’s natural immune response [5]. The best way to deal with the Asian Glow is not to drink. Nevertheless, drinking is a very common behavior in today’s society, so I leave you with this message: everything in moderation.
What most people don’t know is that acetaldehyde is a carcinogen: it causes cancer. In fact, in a series of studies done by Akira Yokoyama and his colleagues in Japan comparing individuals with a functional ALDH2 gene to those with an inactive variant, they showed that individuals with a copy of the inactive variant of the gene for ALDH2 were 6-10 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than are those with the fully functioning ALDH2 enzyme who drink similar amounts of alcohol [3]. Furthermore, individuals with the inactive ALDH2 enzyme who drink 33 or more U.S. standard drinks per week are at an eighty-nine-fold higher risk of esophageal cancer compared to a non-drinker with an inactive enzyme [3].
It might seem unusual that such a large population of East Asians specifically are affected by this odd condition. How would something like this start? The answer may be quite simple: rice. The first cases of the Asian Glow were reported 10,000 years ago, which corresponds to when humans first began cultivating rice. Researchers hypothesize that the genetic mutation that causes an adverse reaction to alcohol consumption arrived to protect early farmers from negative effects of alcohol use [4].
Unfortunately, there is no currently-known cure for the negative effects of the Asian Glow. Some have resorted to taking antihistamines to reduce the redness. Antihistamines reduce or block histamines, the compound that dilates blood vessels and results in the reddening of the face. The body turns red for a reason: acetaldehyde is in its system. The redness is the body’s way of indicating that it’s being damaged. Therefore, reducing the redness not only proves ineffective in treating the negative health effects of the Asian Glow, but also may mask the body’s natural immune response [5]. The best way to deal with the Asian Glow is not to drink. Nevertheless, drinking is a very common behavior in today’s society, so I leave you with this message: everything in moderation.
References:
Lin, Y. (2017, May 3). The Quad: Understanding 'Asian glow' and how to counteract it. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://dailybruin.com/2017/05/03/the-quad-understanding-asian-glow-and-how-to-counteract-it
Cheong, T. (n.d.). Food Tips. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.healthxchange.sg/food-nutrition/food-tips/asian-flush-alcohol-red-face
Alcohol Flush Signals Increased Cancer Risk among East Asians. (2015, October 22). Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/alcohol-flush-signals-increased-cancer-risk-among-east-asians
Huai, E. (2019, September 26). Asian Flush (Alcohol Flush Reaction): Cures, Symptoms, Causes & Health Risks. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.flyby.co/blogs/news/asian-flush
Vuong, Z. (2018, August 06). Antihistamines prevent 'Asian flush' - alcohol-induced facial redness - but pose risks. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://news.usc.edu/112489/antihistamines-prevent-asian-flush-the-red-face-some-people-get-from-alcohol-but-with-huge-risks/