When friends and family get together, it's common to have a few drinks. As the glasses clink, some people flush red as soon as the alcohol goes down. Some believe this means they can't handle their liquor and should drink slowly, while others say that people who flush easily have a high tolerance and good metabolism, so a few extra drinks are fine. So, is it actually good or bad to flush when you drink?
Facial flushing after drinking is caused by the temporary dilation of blood vessels beneath the skin. This is because these people have highly efficient alcohol dehydrogenase in their bodies, which rapidly converts alcohol in the blood into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde has the effect of dilating capillaries, causing symptoms like a flushed face and even flushed skin on the body. This is what we commonly refer to as "flushing."
In addition to alcohol dehydrogenase, the human body also contains an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase. People who flush when they drinking only have the first enzyme but not the second, leading to a rapid buildup of acetaldehyde in the body that is slow to be metabolized. Therefore, the flushing lasts longer. Compared to people who "don't change color" after drinking, acetaldehyde stays in their bodies for a longer time, causing greater toxic effects. However, generally speaking, the redness will gradually fade after 1-2 hours. This is because cytochrome P450 in the liver slowly converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid, which is then metabolized after entering the circulatory system.
People who flush when they drink should try to consume as little alcohol as possible. Once you notice flushing, drinking some honey water can help. Researchers from the National Headache Foundation in the U.S. have pointed out that honey contains a special fructose that can promote the breakdown and absorption of alcohol, alleviating headache symptoms. Supplementing with Vitamin C, B vitamins, or eating some sweets and protein-rich foods can increase blood sugar levels, mitigating the damage alcohol does to the body. Drinking fruit juice or sugar water in a timely manner after drinking can protect the liver. Eating some Lion's Mane mushroom can protect the gastric mucosa from damage. Drinking hot soup, especially fish soup with ginger, is also effective for sobering up. Sweet and sour dishes are also good for this purpose, as vinegar and alcohol can form ethyl acetate in the body, which has a sobering effect. Drinking milk can also slow down the absorption of alcohol in the stomach and protect the gastric mucosa from alcohol damage.