People say that this may be due to an allergy to alcohol, blood type, or even just a normal reaction when drinking alcohol, but what is the scientific truth behind this phenomenon? Is it as simple as talking about appearance or related to more serious health issues? Let's explore the body's metabolism after drinking alcohol.
1. Alcohol metabolism:
Alcohol metabolism is the process that occurs in the body after drinking alcohol - ethanol. The body quickly absorbs ethanol through the digestive tract into the bloodstream, with about 20% occurring in the stomach and 80% in the small intestine. From there, ethanol is transported to organs in the body within minutes. Alcohol will affect the brain, making you feel initially stimulated and euphoric, but then gradually losing control.
The body will eliminate a small amount of ethanol through sweat glands, urine, and breath, while 90% of the remaining ethanol will be metabolized in the liver. The metabolism of ethanol in the liver goes through two main steps. The first step converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, and then acetaldehyde is converted into acetic acid, a nearly harmless substance that is the main component of vinegar.
Finally, acetic acid is broken down into energy, water, and CO2 gas. Among these three substances, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and acetic acid, acetaldehyde is considered the most toxic. When the amount of acetaldehyde produced is too high or not effectively metabolized, it can lead to the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood. This results in the dilation of blood vessels throughout the body, manifested by a flushed face, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. This effect can be prolonged and has the potential to cause DNA mutations and increase the risk of cancer.
2. Alcohol flush syndrome:
Alcohol flush syndrome, known in English as "Alcohol Flush Reaction" or "Asian Flush," also referred to as "Asian Flush Syndrome," is a phenomenon that often occurs after consuming a certain amount of alcoholic beverages. It is typically characterized by the appearance of red patches or flushing on the face, neck, shoulders, and can even spread throughout the body, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, headache, and increased heart rate.
This syndrome is common among Asians and is primarily the result of ineffective alcohol metabolism in the body. Recent studies have shown that alcohol metabolism is influenced by genetic factors, particularly a gene called Zen is-2. This gene plays a role in alcohol metabolism, and when it has defects or causes a deficiency in the enzyme, it leads to excessive accumulation of acetaldehyde (a byproduct of alcohol metabolism) in the body, causing flushing.
This syndrome affects a significant portion of the global population, especially in East Asia, including Japan, China, and South Korea.
3. The effects of alcohol:
The effects of alcohol on those who experience flushing when drinking:
A study conducted in 2013 on 1,763 Korean men showed that men who flushed after drinking alcohol had a much higher risk of developing hypertension compared to those who did not experience this phenomenon, especially when they consumed more than 4 alcoholic drinks per week. This can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, this flushing condition may also be related to high and prolonged levels of acetaldehyde in the body, which can harm cells and stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
According to the National Institutes of Health in the United States, individuals with enzyme deficiencies have a 6 to 10 times higher risk of developing esophageal cancer compared to the general population. Esophageal cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer in the world, with a 5-year survival rate of only about 15.6% to 31.6% for patients. It is estimated that at least 540 million people worldwide suffer from enzyme deficiency, and reducing this condition could help lower the risk of esophageal cancer globally.
Typically, people start to be exposed to alcohol in their teenage years, and flushing often occurs during the first few times drinking. However, if they continue to drink, the body will gradually adapt and produce more enzymes, increasing the amount of alcohol needed to feel euphoric.
Many people consider alcohol a part of social life, using it to celebrate or relieve stress, but remember that if you experience flushing when drinking, it is a clear sign that you should stop drinking. There are some medications that can help reduce flushing symptoms, but they cannot treat enzyme deficiency, only temporarily alleviate symptoms. Be cautious with the use of these medications, as they can mask important symptoms and mislead you about your health status.
4. Some useful tips:
There are several ways to help you avoid getting drunk when participating in a drinking session. Here are some useful tips:
Eat fatty foods before you start drinking. This can be butter, cheese, eggs, or milk. Fatty foods help create a physical layer in the stomach, slowing down the absorption of alcohol and giving the liver time to process it.
Drink slowly and sip. Don't try to drink quickly; enjoy each sip and space out the time between drinks.
Drink plenty of water. Water helps dilute the alcohol concentration in the body and provides hydration after drinking.
Limit drinking alcohol mixed with soft drinks, as the sugar and carbonation in soft drinks can speed up the absorption of alcohol. Instead, drink plain water.
Avoid drinking alcohol with coffee or energy drinks containing caffeine. Caffeine can make you feel nauseous and have headaches, worsening the state of intoxication.
Eat fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, passion fruit, or grapefruit. Vitamin C can help break down alcohol.
Breathe deeply and calmly. Alcohol is partially expelled through respiration, so take deep breaths to reduce the alcohol concentration in the blood.
When you are drunk, remember that your body needs time to recover. If you feel too drunk, it's best to rest and sleep. Don't engage in reckless actions.
Remember that alcohol consumption should be done responsibly and in moderation.
The current situation of alcohol consumption and related risks:
Currently, the situation of alcohol consumption in Vietnam poses many health risks. Each year, alcohol consumption in Vietnam harms about 5.3% of the population, and globally, there are 3 million deaths annually due to alcohol abuse. Every minute, 6 people die from alcohol abuse worldwide. Vietnam is one of the countries with the fastest increasing alcohol consumption in the world. In 2016, the average per capita alcohol consumption in Vietnam ranked second in Southeast Asia and third in Asia, only after South Korea and Thailand. On average, each Vietnamese consumes about 6.6 liters of alcohol per year, and this rate is particularly high among men and teenagers.
New guidelines on alcohol consumption from the UK health authorities have warned that drinking alcohol at any level carries the risk of causing cancers, and this risk increases proportionally with the amount of alcohol consumed. Experts have concluded that there is no justification for drinking alcohol for health benefits. Recent studies have conducted and analyzed more advanced findings, showing that alcohol does not have protective effects or benefits against cardiovascular diseases or other causes of death. In fact, this protective effect is isolated and does not take into account the overall health risks of alcohol consumption, especially the close relationship between alcohol and the risk of cancer, traffic accidents, injuries, and infectious diseases.
According to the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Therefore, limit alcohol consumption, and if you choose to drink, follow the guidelines for safe alcohol consumption. This includes not drinking more than 2 units of alcohol per day for men, 1 unit of alcohol per day for women, and not drinking more than 5 days a week. One unit of alcohol is equivalent to 10 grams of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to a 330 ml bottle of beer with 5% alcohol, a 100 ml glass of wine with 13.5% alcohol, or a 30 ml shot of spirits with about 40% alcohol.
Remember that alcohol can harm your health, and using it responsibly and at safe levels is very important.
Conclusion:
The flushing sign when drinking alcohol is often caused by enzyme deficiency, which can lead to the accumulation of acetaldehyde and produce symptoms such as vomiting, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and increased risk of cancers. This should be considered a warning about health issues related to alcohol.
If you feel the need to drink alcohol, consider drinking within the limits set by the Ministry of Health to minimize harm. However, not drinking alcohol is the best way to protect your health.
Finally, remember to apply some tips to reduce the feeling of intoxication 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. A portion of the alcohol will be metabolized in the liver, but if too much alcohol needs to be processed, the body will start to accumulate acetaldehyde in the blood. This can cause the dilation of blood vessels throughout the body, leading to a flushed face and other symptoms such as headache and rapid heartbeat.
If you become flushed when drinking alcohol, this may be related to a deficiency of the necessary enzymes to process alcohol. It is important to remember that flushing is not just an interesting sign, but can also be a warning about your health status. Limit alcohol consumption and follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health to protect your health.