From what I have heard, a majority of Asians lack an enzyme that breaks down alcohol properly, so that's why their faces turn red after they drink alcohol. Is it true that a majority Asians lack the enzyme to break down alcohol properly or is that urban legend? I'm Asian, I have never had the "Asian red" happen to me. I do have a Chinese friend who if he doesn't drink for a few months, he gets the "Asian red", but if he starts drinking again he rarely gets it or if he does change colors, it's more of an "Asian pink." Is the red face phenomenon strictly an Asian thing or is this more having to do with an individual's tolerance for alcohol and/or percentage of alcohol in a person's body? In old time cartoons, the characters usually became red faced when they were drunk.
2006-11-11 18:05:00 · 8 answers · asked by Chazz S 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
One of the effects of alcohol is flushing because capillaries expand. This is true of anyone, and it's why people feel warm when drinking. Alcohol is burned off like any carbohydrate, it isn't broken down by enzymes: that's for proteins. This sounds like a racist legend to me.
2006-11-11 18:20:08 · answer #1 · answered by galaxiquestar 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the person, but it's true that a majority of Asians have a harder time dealing with alcohol in their system. It's more of an Asian thing, but also very much a family thing. I know some families whose parents drink all the time and their sons aren't very affected by alcohol. As for the "Asian red" or "Asian pink," I get it even after a litttttle bit, and it runs in the family. I think my dad is allergic to alcohol. You wouldn't believe our low tolerance: I turn totally pink and look sunburned after half a bottle of Smirnoff Ice, and my face starts burning up. It's not just every few months, either.
2006-11-11 18:11:13 · answer #2 · answered by Dumblydore 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I also learned about this. I have also seen it in several of my friends. For some reason, it seems to be visible in asian women rather than men. Of course, there is also interpersonal variability in the amount of the enzyme a person has, so even if there is a trend towards asian people being red more often, it doesn't mean all asians and only asians become red.
2006-11-11 18:57:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems that there are a lot of Asians that do turn red (as I am told). I'm like your friend, but I think I turn purple now because I don't drink years between (lol).
2006-11-11 18:14:50 · answer #4 · answered by sakura4eternity 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Asian Red is definately true for many. I am half chinese, my mother is australian. my dad, brother, sister and I all get red from alcohol. i can get more red if i drink my first drink very quickly, ie less than 5 mins. it certainly doesn't stop me from drinking copious amounts of alcohol!
2006-11-12 00:27:02 · answer #5 · answered by curious 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't know about asians, but my father inlaw gets red over most of his upper body including face when he drinks hard booze..not when he drinks beer, which he rarely does..i do believe it is an intolerance issue.. oh, and he is pure european caucasian ...
2006-11-11 18:09:32 · answer #6 · answered by Marvin C 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
thats news to me never heard of that before
2006-11-11 18:10:10 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its true...but happens with any one who is pale skin
2006-11-11 19:36:36 · answer #8 · answered by serengeti 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋