if you are asian, can you drink alcohol?

Question

because I seem to be allergic. I don't break out, I just turn all red and look like a freak, so I don't drink. I've heard that some asians lack an enzyme to break down alcohol. And it seems to run in my family. My mom and sister have this reaction, but not my dad. How bout you?

Answer 1

1. Yes some people can be enzyme deficient, they are unable to metabolize alcohol efficiently and this can make them extra sick.

2. You probably don't have this. Aparently flushing is quite common with Asians and alcohol.

"Alcohol Dehydrogenase

In humans, the enzyme is contained in the lining of the stomach and in the liver. It catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde:

CH3CH2OH + NAD+ → CH3CHO + NADH + H+
This allows the consumption of alcoholic beverages, but its evolutionary purpose is probably the breakdown of alcohols naturally contained in foods or produced by bacteria in the digestive tract.

Alcohol dehydrogenase is also involved in the toxicity of other types of alcohol: for instance, it oxidizes methanol to produce formaldehyde, and ethylene glycol to ultimately yield glycolic and oxalic acids. Humans have at least six slightly different alcohol dehydrogenases. All of them are dimers (consist of two polypeptides), with each dimer containing two zinc ions Zn2+. One of those ions is crucial for the operation of the enzyme: it is located at the catalytic site and holds the hydroxyl group of the alcohol in place." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_dehydrogenase)

"Alcohol is a natural product
Alcohol (ethanol) is a normal by-product of human and animal cell chemistry/metabolism. Cell processes result in normal physiological levels of 0.01 to 0.03 mg of alcohol/100 ml of blood. By contrast, a blood alcohol limit for driving of 0.05 per cent is equivalent to 50 mg of alcohol/100 ml of blood.

Alcohol is broken down in the liver
Alcohol (ethanol) is broken down by liver enzymes within minutes. Conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde requires the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde is then transformed to acetic acid ("vinegar") by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. If individuals can't break down alcohol easily, problems may occur if alcohol is consumed.

Flushing is not an allergic reaction
Some patients will experience intense facial flushing after having even small amounts of alcohol. These symptoms are most common in those with an oriental / Asian background. Other side-effects of fluttering of the heart (palpitations, tachycardia), sensation of heat, headache, tummy discomfort or a drop in blood pressure (hypotension) are related to high blood acetaldehyde levels. Individuals with these problems appear to be partially deficient in aldehyde dehydrogenase, resulting in high levels of accumulated acetaldehyde.

Other conditions may also trigger flushing
Not all flushing is due to alcohol. Flushing can occur in skin conditions such as rosacea, the menopause, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia), and sometimes as a response to some antibiotics or medicines used to treat diabetes or high blood fat levels.

Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol and other substances
The liver breaks down the alcohol (ethanol) we drink and converts it to a chemical called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is then transformed to acetic acid ("vinegar"). Problems occur if alcohol cannot be broken down. As well as ethanol, alcoholic beverages contain a complex mixture of grape, yeast, hop, barley or wheat-derived substances, natural food chemicals (eg. salicylates), wood and fruit-derived substances (eg. Histamine, tyramine in chianti), added enzymes (like papain) and preservatives (like sulphites). Severe allergic reactions have been described in people with allergies to proteins within grapes, yeast, hops, barley and wheat. These patients are not sensitive to alcohol itself. Furthermore, "fining agents" (like egg protein, milk proteins, parvalbumin and seafood proteins and "isinglass" which is a fish swim-bladder product) are sometimes used to remove fine particles. Whether these occur in sufficient amounts to trigger allergic reactions is unknown." (http://www.allergycapital.com.au/Pages/alcohol.html)

Answer 2

I also experience the asian flush, my breathing is also labored. After about 5 drinks though my body seems to catch up with itself and all redness is gone and breathing returns to normal. Its not very comfortable and at times a little scary. So I would suggest not drinking at all or try taking a zantac before you start drinking..this seems to reduce the symptoms.

Answer 3

I'm sorry bud but shes gonna melt eventually. I was walking down the street last week and joe the hobo poured a can of beer on my asian friend and he melted right in front of me! As for making her un-asian just give her some tomato soup with a slice of cheese on top and that should do the trick

Answer 4

Sure, asian people can drink alcohol. Maybe that goes in your family. Allergies run in your gens.

Answer 5

I do believe that Asians are people too so yes they can

Answer 6

no they have a special pipe that determines if there is alcohol in the beverage. if there is it gets filltered out of a hole in their back. That is why it is possible for them to swallow mouthwash!

Answer 7

Of course you can.....