Is it true that Asians and Native Americans can't metabolize alcoohol?

Question

I read this in this board.

Does this have any basis?

If so, does this mean that Asians and Native Americans can't drink alcohol?
(And if they did, how would their bodies react?)

Answer 1

Depends on who you ask....

Here is a study done....

http://www.indiana.edu/~rcapub/v17n3/p18.html

Answer 2

All I can tell you is that I'm Asian and I can't drink alcohol. If I try I will get start getting a pounding headache (even if I tried to have a beer and drank it at a normal pace. If I spread it out and drink it over an elongated period of time I may be able to get through it without a headache or throwing up). If I have a shot I would get sick and throw up. I do not get buzzed or drunk.

Answer 3

Not true. There are a few people who can't motabolise alcohol, but they don't come from a specific ethnic.

Asians and Native Americans are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, and this would be affected by alcohol.

Answer 4

I really don't know about Asians, but I do know that Native Americans have more of a tendency toward alcoholism because of their metabolism. Not all, but most.

If they react it would be by drunkedness

Answer 5

Well, my Asian friend basically handles various amounts of drinking the same as any other average person.

Answer 6

no thats not true b/c i knew some ppl in school that used to drink and were asian and they didnt seem to get affected by it so i doubt that its true

Answer 7

not true, but we surely do like to drink.

Answer 8

No. They can. I have seen plenty of them guzzle down a few.