On a cold winter evening, Uncle Zhang got together with a few old friends. They meet in a cosy restaurant in the town, where the table is full of delicious food and the air is cheerful. With the collision of the wine glasses, Uncle Zhang's cheeks gradually showed a noticeable flush, like a peach blossom in its first bloom. Friends quipped: "Uncle Zhang, you are too drunk!" But in fact, Uncle Zhang just tasted a few sips.
This phenomenon can be seen in many people, and it is commonly known as "upper face". However, this is not just the effect of alcohol, but a genetic secret hidden in our body. Next, let's explore the science behind this.
The Connection Between Drinking "Upper Face" and Genetic Mutations: Unraveling the Genetic World Behind Alcohol
Alcohol metabolism, a biochemical process that occurs naturally in our body, is actually accomplished by the cooperation of several key enzymes. Here, the two most important enzymes are: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). When alcohol enters our body, ADH first converts it into acetaldehyde, and then ALDH2 rapidly converts acetaldehyde further into harmless acetic acid, which is eventually metabolized by the body.
However, not everyone's ADH and ALDH2 will be able to accomplish their tasks effectively. ALDH2 insufficiency is present in a subset of the population, particularly in Asians. This is due to a special mutation in the ALDH2 gene, which causes the activity of this enzyme to be greatly reduced. As a result, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body, causing a series of physiological reactions, including facial flushing, rapid heartbeat and other "upper face" symptoms.
In fact, the impact of this genetic mutation is much more than just the superficial "upper face". Acetaldehyde, as a toxic substance, accumulates in the body for a long time and can cause chronic harm to the human body. For example, it can cause damage to cellular DNA, increasing the risk of cancer. What's more, this genetic mutation may also affect the development of alcohol dependence.
To sum up, "upper face" is not just a simple phenomenon of facial redness, but a secret hidden deep in our genes, which is closely related to our health. Understanding this is an opportunity for everyone who likes to have a drink to gain a deep sense of self-awareness and health management.
Drinking "on the face" and cognitive decline: a hidden alarm?
Facial redness after drinking, commonly known as "upper face", is often considered a manifestation of the ability to metabolize alcohol. But this phenomenon may hint at deeper health risks, especially cognitive decline. On this point, we need to start with the biochemical process of alcohol.
Alcohol is metabolized in the body mainly through two enzymes in the liver, one of which is acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). In some populations, ALDH2 activity is reduced by genetic mutations, leading to the accumulation of acetaldehyde, which can cause facial flushing. It is important to note that acetaldehyde not only causes short-term discomfort, but long-term accumulation may also affect brain function.
Studies have found that the accumulation of acetaldehyde caused by long-term alcohol consumption may accelerate the damage and death of brain cells, which in turn affects cognitive function. This process may be more pronounced especially in individuals with genetic variations. Brains exposed to high acetaldehyde for a long time may experience symptoms such as memory loss and decreased reaction speed, which are early signs of cognitive decline.
Therefore, people who drink alcohol "on the face", especially older people, should pay more attention to their drinking habits. Drinking alcohol in moderation or even abstaining from alcohol can be one of the effective measures to prevent cognitive decline.
Drinking alcohol on the "face" and stomach cancer: hidden risk signs?
In addition to the potential threat to brain health, drinking alcohol "on the face" has been linked to another serious health problem – stomach cancer. This association also stems from the metabolic process of alcohol.
The metabolism of alcohol in the digestive system produces a certain amount of harmful substances such as acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is not only harmful to the liver, but can also damage the gastric mucosa, leading to an inflammatory response and possibly stomach cancer over time. For those who are prone to "getting on the face" after drinking, they may be more likely to accumulate these harmful substances, so the risk of stomach cancer is correspondingly higher.
In addition, drinking too much alcohol may also lead to an increase in gastric acid secretion, which can exacerbate the damage to the gastric mucosa. In the long term, in addition to increasing the risk of stomach cancer, it can also lead to other digestive disorders.
In order to reduce the risk of stomach cancer, it is recommended that people who drink alcohol "on the face" appropriately reduce alcohol intake, maintain a healthy diet, and have regular stomach health check-ups.