Increased cancer risk for people with Asian flushing (also known as alcohol flush reaction)

Recent research has shown that nearly 50% of Asians experience a red face after drinking alcohol, not to mention the plethora of non-Asians who also experience similar alcohol-related side effects. This redness reaction is commonly known as Asian Flush or Asian Glow, and according to recent research, it may indicate an increased risk of esophageal cancer (or throat cancer).

When you drink an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol is absorbed into the blood through the esophagus, stomach, and intestine. The period during which alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream can vary from 15 minutes to a few hours. Some factors that can affect the rate at which the body can absorb alcohol include gender, body mass, the type and concentration of alcohol consumed, and the amount of food in your stomach. Asian Flush, more technically known to scientists as “Alcohol Flush Reaction”, describes our body’s inability to fully break down the alcohol that has been ingested into our bodies.

The main cause of the Asian flush reaction, which can also be accompanied by nausea and a rapid heartbeat, is an inherited deficiency in an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), a trait commonly shared among about 50% of people with East Asian (Japanese, Chinese, or Korean) ancestry.

This deficiency of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) causes the body to be unable to properly break down a byproduct of alcohol metabolism called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is toxic, and therefore, as a result of your body not being able to break it down properly, this toxin builds up and causes the redness we all commonly refer to as Asian flush.

Recent research is trying to increase public awareness of the possible link between Asian flushing and increased risk of esophageal cancer. The malignancy, called squamous cell esophageal cancer, can also be caused by smoking, and although surgery is an option, survival rates are low. Casual drinkers shouldn’t be as concerned, however, research indicates that the risks are greatly increased with heavier consumption. According to research, someone with Asian blushing who drinks two beers a day has a 6 to 10 times higher risk of esophageal cancer than someone who does not suffer from Asian blushing.

Our bodies are much smarter than we think. If you get red in the face after drinking alcohol, it may be your body telling you not to drink. That being said, alcohol consumption is so firmly ingrained in our social and business cultures that simply avoiding it entirely is not a very desirable option for most people. However, people with Asian blushing should take such research as a warning, and perhaps as a reminder that their body is telling them to take it easy with alcohol.