People say that this could be because they are allergic to alcohol, their blood type or even just a normal reaction to drinking alcohol, but what is the scientific truth behind this phenomenon? Is it as simple as talking about appearance or is it related to a more serious health issue? Let's learn about the body's metabolism after drinking alcohol.
1. Alcohol metabolism:
Alcohol metabolism is the process that takes place in the body after drinking alcohol - ethanol. The body rapidly absorbs ethanol through the digestive tract into the bloodstream, with about 20% in the stomach and 80% in the small intestine. From there, ethanol is delivered to organs in the body in just a few minutes. Alcohol will affect the brain, making you feel stimulated and excited initially, but then gradually lose control.
The body will eliminate a small portion of ethanol through sweat, urine, and breath, while the remaining 90% will be metabolized in the liver. Ethanol metabolism in the liver goes through two main steps. The first step converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, then converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid, an almost harmless substance that is the main ingredient of vinegar.
Finally, acetic acid is decomposed into energy, water, and CO2 gas. Of these three substances, ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetic acid, acetaldehyde is considered the most toxic. When acetaldehyde is produced in excessive amounts or is not metabolized effectively, it can cause a buildup of acetaldehyde in the blood. This leads to dilation of all blood vessels in the body, manifested by a flushed face, headaches, nausea, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure. This effect can be long lasting and has the potential to cause DNA mutations and increase the risk of cancer.
2. Blushing:
Alcohol flushing, known in English as "Alcohol Flush Reaction" or "Asian Flush," also known as "Asian Blush Syndrome," is a phenomenon that often occurs after drinking a large amount of alcoholic beverages. It often manifests as flushed or erythematous patches on the face, neck, shoulders, and can even spread to the entire body, and is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and increased heart rate.
This syndrome is common in Asians and is mainly the result of ineffective alcohol metabolism in the body. Many recent studies have shown that alcohol metabolism is influenced by genetic factors, especially a gene called Zen is-2. This gene plays a role in alcohol metabolism, and when there is an error or deficiency in the isenzyme, it causes acetaldehyde (a byproduct of alcohol metabolism) to accumulate too much in the body, causing rosacea.
This syndrome affects a significant portion of the population worldwide, especially in the East Asian region, including Japan, China, and Korea.
3. Impact of alcohol:
Effects of alcohol on people who experience redness when drinking:
A 2013 study of 1,763 Korean men found that men who experienced facial redness after drinking alcohol were at a much higher risk of developing high blood pressure than those who did not, especially when they drank more than four alcoholic drinks per week. This can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, this blushing condition may also be related to high and prolonged levels of acetaldehyde acid in the body, which can harm cells and stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
According to the US National Institutes of Health, people with metabolic enzyme deficiencies are 6 to 10 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than normal people. Esophageal cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers in the world, with a 5-year survival rate from diagnosis of only about 15.6% to 31.6% for patients. It is estimated that at least 540 million people worldwide have angiotensin-converting enzyme deficiency, and reducing this could help reduce the risk of esophageal cancer worldwide.
Usually, people begin to be exposed to alcohol in their teens, and blushing often occurs the first time they drink. However, if you continue to drink, your body will gradually adapt and produce more metabolic enzymes, increasing the amount of alcohol needed to feel happy.
Many people consider alcohol a part of social life, used to celebrate or relieve stress, but remember that if you blush when drinking, it's a clear sign that you should stop drinking. There are a number of medications that can help reduce facial blushing, but they cannot treat angiotensin-converting enzyme deficiency, only temporarily relieving symptoms. Be careful with the use of these medications, as they may mask important symptoms and mislead you about your health condition.
4. Some useful tips:
There are a few ways to help you avoid getting drunk while drinking. Here are some helpful tips:
Eat fatty foods before you start taking it. This could be butter, cheese, eggs, or milk. Fatty foods help create a physical layer on the stomach, slowing the absorption of alcohol and giving the liver time to process it.
Drink slowly and sip. Don't try to drink it quickly, enjoy each sip and space out the time between glasses of beer.
Drink lots of filtered water. Filtered water helps dilute the alcohol concentration in the body and provides hydration after drinking alcohol.
Limit drinking alcohol combined with soft drinks, because the sugar and carbonation in soft drinks can speed up the absorption of alcohol. Instead, drink filtered water.
Avoid drinking alcohol with coffee or energy drinks containing caffeine. Caffeine can give you nausea and headaches, making hangovers worse.
Eat fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, vines, or grapefruit. Vitamin C can help break down alcohol.
Breathe deeply and comfortably. Alcohol is partly excreted through the respiratory tract, so breathe deeply to reduce the alcohol concentration in your blood.
When you're drunk, remember that your body needs time to recover. If you feel too drunk, you should rest and sleep. Don't take foolish actions.
Remember that alcohol use should be done responsibly and in moderation.
Current situation of alcohol use and related risks:
Currently, alcohol use in Vietnam is causing many health risks. Each year, alcohol use in Vietnam harms about 5.3% of the population, and globally, there are 3 million deaths annually due to alcohol abuse. Every minute that passes, 6 people die from alcohol abuse worldwide. Vietnam is one of the few countries in the world with rapidly increasing alcohol consumption. In 2016, the average alcohol consumption per capita in Vietnam ranked second in Southeast Asia and third in Asia, just behind Korea and Thailand. On average, each Vietnamese person consumes about 6.6 liters of alcohol per year, and this rate is especially high for men and teenagers.
New guidance on alcohol use from the UK Department of Health has warned that drinking alcohol at any level poses a risk of cancer, and this risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Experts have concluded that there is no reason to justify drinking alcohol for its health benefits. More recent studies have been conducted and analyzed, showing no protective effect of alcohol or a protective effect of alcohol against cardiovascular disease or other causes of death. In fact, this protective effect stands alone and does not take into account the overall health risks of drinking alcohol, especially the close link between alcohol and the risk of cancer, traffic accidents, injuries and infectious diseases.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Therefore, limit your alcohol intake, and if you choose to drink, follow guidelines for safe alcohol consumption. This includes drinking no more than 2 units of alcohol a day for men, 1 unit of alcohol a day for women, and no more than 5 days a week. One unit of alcohol is equivalent to 10 grams of pure alcohol, equivalent to a 330 ml bottle of beer with an alcohol content of 5%, a 100 ml glass of wine with an alcohol content of 13.5%, or a 30 ml glass of spirits with an alcohol content of about 40%.
Remember, alcohol can be harmful to your health and it is important to use it responsibly and at safe levels.
Conclude:
Signs of red face when drinking alcohol are often caused by a lack of metabolic enzymes, which can lead to acetone accumulation and create symptoms such as vomiting, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and the risk of cancer. This should be considered a warning about alcohol-related health problems.
If you feel you must drink alcohol, consider drinking at the level allowed by the Ministry of Health to minimize harmful effects. However, not drinking alcohol is the best way to protect your health.
Finally, remember to apply some tips to reduce hangovers and ensure safety when drinking alcohol.
When you drink alcohol, your body has to process the alcohol quickly. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed through digestion and then circulates in the blood. Some alcohol will be metabolized in the liver, but if there is too much alcohol to process, the body will begin to accumulate acetone in the blood. This can cause dilation of all blood vessels in the body, leading to a flushed face and other symptoms such as headaches and rapid heart rate.
If you become red when drinking alcohol, this may be related to a lack of metabolic enzymes needed to process alcohol. It's important to remember that blushing isn't just a sign of excitement, it can also be a warning about your health. Limit alcohol use and follow the Ministry of Health's instructions to protect your health.