In a spacious and bright dining room, several middle-aged and elderly friends sat around a table, and the atmosphere was warm. As the wine glasses collided, a discussion about "alcohol volume" quietly unfolded. Mr. Lee, a frequent social eventmaker, proudly claims that he is well-known for his alcohol consumption in the circle of friends. However, he also mentioned that after every drink, his cheeks always flushed for the first time, which became a major problem for him. In contrast, although Aunt Wang does not drink much, she hardly experiences facial flushing. This contrast raises a series of questions: Why do people react so differently to the same drink? Is it really a sign that drinking alcohol is easy to get on the face?
Why do people tend to get on the face after drinking?
Explore the science behind it
Facial redness after drinking, commonly known as "upper face", is a common experience for many people, especially among Asian people. Behind this phenomenon, there is a complex mechanism of the body's response to alcohol. In short, after alcohol enters the body, it needs to go through a series of metabolic processes before it can be absorbed and eliminated by the body. Two enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), play a key role in this process.
First, ADH converts alcohol (ethanol) into acetaldehyde, a substance that is harmful to the human body. Subsequently, ALDH further converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid, which is finally excreted from the body through respiration, urine, etc. However, not all people have the same activity of these two enzymes. In some people, due to genetic factors, the activity of the ALDH enzyme is low, resulting in the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body, which triggers reactions such as facial flushing and rapid heartbeat.
Influence of genetic factors
Studies have shown that specific genetic variants affect an individual's sensitivity to alcohol. One of the more common ALDH2 gene variants in Asians is that reduces the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, making it difficult to metabolize acetaldehyde effectively after drinking, making people more susceptible to facial flushing. This genetic variant, while somewhat reducing an individual's likelihood of binge drinking, also increases the risk of uncomfortable symptoms after drinking.
In addition to genetic factors, age, gender, eating habits, and physical condition can also affect an individual's metabolism of alcohol. Young people are generally more able to metabolize alcohol, but this ability gradually decreases as they age. In terms of gender, women tend to be more likely to wear the face than men due to differences in physiology.
Upper face: Not a sign of strong drinking, but a natural feedback from the body
In many cultures, being able to drink alcohol without a significant reaction is mistaken for a sign of physical strength and social skills. However, this notion ignores an important fact: the flushing of the face caused by drinking, the so-called "upper face", is not actually a sign of good drinking, but rather a direct response of our body to alcohol, the way our body tries to communicate with us.
When alcohol enters the body, it first needs to be metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the liver and converted into acetaldehyde, a more toxic substance than alcohol. Subsequently, acetaldehyde needs to be further metabolized by another enzyme, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), into harmless acetic acid. In this process, the accumulation of acetaldehyde in those with low ALDH activity due to genetic mutations can lead to facial flushing and rapid heartbeat. It's not a sign of a good amount of alcohol, but rather a warning that the body is struggling to process alcohol and may be under stress.
Warning signs for the body: Pay attention to the health risks behind the upper face
Facial flushing is not just a transient physiological reaction. It is a warning sign from the body that we have an unusual reaction to alcohol and may indicate a higher risk of alcohol-related health problems. Studies have shown that frequent, intense drinking reactions, such as facial flushing, are associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. These risks are not obvious in the short term, but long-term drinking habits and the body's response patterns can pose a potential threat to our health.
Taking this signal seriously means we need to re-examine our drinking habits. For those who are prone to getting on the face, even small amounts of alcohol intake should be considered evidence of the body's adverse effects on alcohol, and it is recommended to reduce alcohol consumption in order to reduce long-term health risks. In addition, facial flushing can be used as an early health assessment tool to prompt individuals to make informed adjustments to their drinking habits.
This information is especially important for middle-aged and older people. As we age, our body's metabolic capacity decreases, and our sensitivity to alcohol may increase. As a result, even if alcohol consumption has not caused discomfort in the past, changes may occur with older age. In social situations, choosing low-alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages and ensuring that the amount of alcohol consumed is within a safe range is a rational choice that can both enjoy social fun and maintain health.