Category: Alcohol intolerance

An estimated 540 million people worldwide experience a genetic intolerance to alcohol, a phenomenon that can cause immediate, unpleasant reactions. For many, this is the underlying reason behind the perplexing question: Why do I feel awful after one beer? Understanding your body's unique response to alcohol and its ingredients is crucial for your health.

For some, drinking alcohol causes an immediate and unpleasant reaction, not a buzz. This inherited metabolic condition makes it difficult for the body to break down alcohol, leading many to ask: **What does it feel like if your body can't process alcohol?**

An estimated 540 million people worldwide experience a flushed or discolored skin reaction after consuming alcohol. This common yet misunderstood phenomenon, often referred to as 'Asian glow', happens because the body has difficulty properly processing alcohol, but **why do people turn purple when they drink** in the first place?

Approximately 35-40% of the East Asian population carries a variant of the ALDH2 gene, leading to reduced enzyme activity. This genetic variation is the root cause of what is commonly known as 'alcohol flush' or 'Asian glow'. So, **how do I know if I have ALDH2 deficiency** and what does it mean for my health?

Approximately 36% of individuals of East Asian descent experience a characteristic physiological response to alcohol that includes facial flushing. This phenomenon, often referred to as the Japanese drunk flush, is a genetic marker for alcohol intolerance that signals a critical metabolic deficiency and poses significant health risks.