Why people turn red when consuming alcohol

The phenomenon of "alcohol flush": why the face turns red after drinking and why it's dangerous

Physiology of the process.

When a person consumes alcoholic beverages, ethanol undergoes a complex metabolic pathway in the liver, including two key stages:

Ethanol is converted into acetaldehyde - a toxic substance that causes unpleasant hangover symptoms.

Acetaldehyde is converted into acetic acid, which is then eliminated from the body.

These reactions occur under the influence of two enzymes:

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)

Cause of redness

Some people, especially among Asian populations, have a mutation in the ALDH2 gene responsible for aldehyde dehydrogenase function. This genetic feature significantly reduces the enzyme's activity or completely blocks its function. As a result, acetaldehyde is not properly broken down and accumulates in the body.

This causes: skin redness (especially face and neck), rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, general feeling of heat.

Hereditary factor

This reaction is often observed in people of East Asian origin (up to 50% of Chinese, Japanese, Koreans have the ALDH2 gene mutation). But it also occurs in representatives of other ethnic groups.

Important point: this is not just an "allergy"

Although it may outwardly resemble an allergic reaction, it is essentially an enzymatic intolerance to alcohol, not an immune response.

Health effects

Regular alcohol consumption in the presence of the ALDH2 mutation can be dangerous:

Elevated acetaldehyde levels increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and cancer of other organs.

Even small doses of alcohol can cause serious strain on the body.

What to do if you turn red from alcohol

Limit or completely eliminate alcohol.

Don't treat alcohol as a "harmless entertainment" - your body is clearly indicating that it's struggling.

If symptoms are severe, consult a doctor - you may need liver function diagnostics and genetic testing.