Posted on 02/04/2010 6:31:23 PM PST by SunkenCiv
If your face turns red after drinking just one glass of wine, blame ancient Chinese farmers. Researchers are reporting that the "Asian Flush" mutation cropped up just as rice was first being domesticated, and it may have protected early farmers from the harms of drinking too much. But some other scientists urge caution, saying that the dates may not match up.
When you drink, enzymes in the liver known as alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) convert alcohol to an organic compound called acetaldehyde; another enzyme then converts acetaldehyde to acetic acid. But about 50% of Asians and 5% of Europeans have mutations in these enzymes that can increase the rate of alcohol metabolism up to 100-fold. This leads to a rapid accumulation of acetaldehyde, which can cause capillaries in the face to dilate -- and the face to turn red. Other unpleasant symptoms can include nausea and headaches.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencenow.sciencemag.org ...
hunh. wow. somehow I just can’t imagine this being asked of certain other peoples of color.
I know of a Chinese researcher here at the University of Chicago who turns BRIGHT red with a few drinks. I mean, it is as bright as a bad sunburn.
What is odd to me as a brewer is that we spend an enormous amount of time and effort to remove acetaldehyde when we brew beer, only to have the liver convert it right back.
Ironic.
Cheers,
knewshound
I am scottish, but it will happen to me also. It seems to depend on what I’m drinking —some things will make my face beet red and it’s like I can feel the heat just pumpint out of my face.
Some people think it’s some kind of medical emergency —very embarrassing.
This has been known FOREVER.
Asian flush - does that beat a Royal Flush in Vegas”
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Only in Pai Gow.
I wonder if this is akin to the B3 or niacin flush. If I take niacin I turn red, really hot, and swell up all over. It last for hours.
Niacin does that to anyone — in a high enough dose. I’m taking a 500 mg and any resulting ruddiness is not so noticeable that I’ve, uh, noticed it. :’) If you are taking it as a prescribed supplement, ask the physician or other practitioner if it’s okay to cut the dosage.
Alcohol, btw, is a vasodilator, which is why drinking the demon rum and the like makes one feel warm — the capillaries are near the surface, as are most of our nerves. It also means that we’re losing heat, so you get to feel nice and warm as you freeze to death faster (y’know, in a cold climate).
Wimp. I’m taking 2000 mg/day.
It’s associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/health/24blush.html?_r=1&ref=science
I am scottish, but it will happen to me also.Do tell! ;') Hey, it's okay to hit my own folks...
Irish here and the same reaction. I get embarassed at weddings (avoiding even toasts) because I turn so red so fast. (Very fair skinned).
That reminds me, I forgot to take mine today. And I usually wash mine down with a cocktail of wood alcohol and cyanide.
I’m Welsh descent and it happens to me every once in while. I drink 8oz of 15% alcohol red wine a day and I would say 2 or 3 times a year my face turns near-instantly red. I wonder what it means when it’s only on occasion like that.
Really? Me too! When I can’t find my formaldehyde, anyway.
I have not seen that among the Vietnamese emigrés here at all and I got to parties where several usually get a little tipsy, at least.
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