"Xiao Li, you have to have a good drink at the party tonight, your reputation of 'a thousand cups not drunk' can't be given in vain!"
"Lao Zhang, you know that I blush when I drink, but it's not because of the amount of alcohol, it's a physical problem. Xiao Li lowered his voice and said with a little seriousness, I have recently seen some studies that say that people like me who are prone to blushing when they drink alcohol not only age faster but are also more likely to be depressed.
"Oh, Xiao Li, don't scare us. The lively and cheerful Ah Mei broke the silence and said half-jokingly, "How can it be so serious, isn't it just blushing, who of us hasn't had a time to drink and put on his face." ”
"Amei, you don't know. Xiao Wang, who has always been silent, said at this time, "What Xiao Li said is true, I have seen relevant studies, and people who drink alcohol and blush do face higher health risks.
01.ALDH2基因突变的警示灯
The phenomenon of "blushing as soon as you drink alcohol" is particularly prevalent in East Asian populations, with about 36% of individuals experiencing significant facial flushing after drinking.
This unique physiological response is not due to superior alcohol tolerance, but is a direct manifestation of a specific mutation in the ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*2) in vivo, revealing a significant reduction in the activity of the acetaldehyde-metabolizing enzyme ALDH2.
For East Asians, the mutation is not only a specific marker of alcohol response, but also a warning light to a range of health risks, most notably a significant increase in the risk of cancer.
As a key intermediate product in the process of alcohol metabolism, acetaldehyde has a toxic effect that cannot be ignored. Under normal circumstances, acetaldehyde is rapidly converted into harmless acetic acid under the catalysis of the ALDH2 enzyme, which is eventually excreted from the body.
For East Asians with ALDH2*2 mutations, the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 is greatly reduced, resulting in the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body and the inability to be effectively removed. This state of blocked acetaldehyde metabolism not only triggers the typical facial flushing after alcohol consumption, but is also closely linked to the development of a series of cancers.
02. Endogenous acetaldehyde: accelerates aging
Formation and harm of DPCs: Acetaldehyde can chemically react with DNA and proteins in the body to form DNA-protein cross-linkers. DPCs are one of the most destructive molecular products induced by acetaldehyde, and they act as "roadblocks" at the molecular level, hindering the replication and transcription process of DNA, and interfering with the normal proliferation and function of cells.
If these cross-links are not repaired in time, they will lead to errors in the DNA replication process, leading to gene mutations, chromosomal instability, and cell death, which are closely related to the occurrence of a variety of genetic diseases.
The accumulation of DPCs may also induce oxidative stress, further exacerbate the deterioration of the intracellular environment, and accelerate tissue aging.
Acetaldehyde metabolism disorder and aging: For people who are prone to blush after drinking, ALDH2 gene mutations lead to a decrease in the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, and acetaldehyde cannot be effectively metabolized in the body, thereby accumulating and accelerating the reaction with DNA and proteins, and promoting the formation of DPCs.
This metabolic disorder exacerbates DNA damage and cellular dysfunction by exposing these individuals to a higher risk of accumulation of DPCs after alcohol consumption, especially in the case of excessive alcohol consumption, allowing them to show signs of aging earlier than those who normally metabolize acetaldehyde.
03. Mental health threat: risk of depression
Correlation between blush and depression: Blushing, a seemingly common physiological response, is gradually showing a subtle association with depression in the field of mental health.
Many people with depression report frequent and uncontrollable blushes in social situations, especially when talking to others.
This excessive blush response is not simply attributable to shyness or nervousness, but may be part of a specific symptom cluster of depression, reflecting an imbalance in the patient's intrinsic emotion regulation mechanisms and an unusual sensitivity to social interactions.
Blush Reaction and Risk of Depression: Long-term and frequent blush experiences may increase an individual's sense of self and trap them in a vicious cycle of low self-esteem, social phobia, and avoidance, thereby increasing the risk of depression.
Especially in adolescents and young adults, the blush response can lead to increased social frustration, further weakening the individual's resilience and setting the stage for depression to occur.
In individuals who already suffer from depression, their blush response may persist or even intensify over the course of the disease. Depression is often accompanied by significant anxiety symptoms and interpersonal difficulties, and blushing is an outward sign of emotional distress in this context.
04. People who drink alcohol and blush face multiple risks
Increased risk of cancer: Acetaldehyde is a group of carcinogens identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and its accumulation in the body is strongly associated with the development of many cancers, especially cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, and stomach. People who drink alcohol and blush have a significantly increased risk of this type of cancer due to their weakened ability to remove acetaldehyde.
Risk of cardiovascular disease: Although moderate alcohol consumption may have a certain protective effect on the cardiovascular system, for those who drink alcohol and blush, the long-term accumulation of acetaldehyde may cause oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia.
Liver damage: Acetaldehyde is one of the main toxins in the liver, and its accumulation can lead to liver cell damage, fatty liver, liver fibrosis, and even serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis. People who drink alcohol and blush are more likely to suffer liver damage due to impaired acetaldehyde metabolism.
Neuropsychiatric problems: Long-term heavy alcohol consumption is associated with neuropsychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, memory loss, and dementia. People who drink alcohol and blush may face higher neuropsychiatric health risks due to the more pronounced effects of acetaldehyde on the nervous system.
Psychosocial stress: Due to the obvious blushing reaction after drinking, such individuals may feel embarrassed and inferior in social situations, resulting in reduced social activities and increased psychological stress, which further affects physical and mental health.
In the face of the growing positive correlation between alcohol consumption and disease worldwide, we cannot ignore any potential risk signal. It is important for people who drink blush to fully recognize and properly address these risks.
Drinking blush is not simply a physiological reaction, but a health warning from the body. Only by facing up to and properly responding to this warning can we truly protect the boat of life for ourselves and others, and resist the undercurrents that alcohol may bring.
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