It's true - alcoholic beverages aren't the only thing that can contribute to toxic acetaldehyde accumulation. If acetaldehyde is a problem for you with alcohol, it may also help to avoid acetaldehyde in food, too. And in this article, we'll help you do just that by covering the ALDH2 deficiency foods to avoid. You'll also gain insights as to what a ALDH2 deficiency diet consists of so you can take control of your health and comfort once and for all.
Keep in mind, though, to ensure that your body is prepared to deal with the affects of drinking alcohol or eating food containing acetaldehyde, we recommend taking Asian flush pills. This is the #1 way to avoid the problems that come with acetaldehyde exposure and prevent or treat red face after drinking.
Now - before we get into the main question you came here with - what are the ALDH2 deficiency foods to avoid - let's provide some context on how alcoholic beverages aren't the only thing that can cause problems for those with this condition.
We know this may be news to you - but yes. There are high acetaldehyde foods that generate the same unpleasant symptoms and health risks as consuming alcohol. Those who are ALDH2 deficient must be aware of this.
It doesn't just create unpleasant symptoms like shortness of breath from alcohol or nasal congestion after drinking alcohol, either. Consuming high amounts of food with increased levels of acetaldehyde can also contribute to higher cancer risk in the digestive tract. With that said, allow us to break down the top aldh2 deficiency foods to avoid.
We're going to break up our review of the most important high acetaldehyde foods you need to stay away from into different types of foods. And to kick things off, we'll go with one of the most detrimental - fermented foods.
Fermented foods are on the most common offenders for those with this deficiency. Acetaldehyde is created by microorganisms during the fermentation process so it can be found in fermented foods, such as:
Acetaldehyde can be found naturally in some fruits, such as:
Some food and drink items have added acetaldehyde as “food flavouring.” Some of these items include:
Want to learn more about this toxic chemical? We recently wrote a complete guide on how to reduce acetaldehyde in body. This is a great resource for those who struggle with this condition - check it out! For now, let's talk about another important component of your aldh2 deficiency diet - avoiding certain drinks.
If you're going to follow an aldh2 deficiency diet, it's not just important to know what foods contain acetaldehyde. You also need to avoid a myriad of drinks that contain this compound.
There is obviously acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages - but did you know there are also trace amounts of acetaldehyde in coffee, and many other alcohol-free beverages too? It's true. We'll cover all that you need to know about this below - starting with the most common offender: alcohol.
Acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages gives those with an ALDH2 deficiency the worst symptoms and it’s often from alcohol that users realise they have a deficiency.
Because there is a much higher level of acetaldehyde in something like white wine compared to yogurt, alcohol will produce a bigger reaction. It also means that if you have numerous alcoholic drinks in one night, your body will become overwhelmed with acetaldehyde. You would need to eat a lot of yogurt to get a similar reaction.
Some alcoholic beverages with acetaldehyde in high amounts include:
Drinks without alcohol can still be sources of acetaldehyde. Some drinks even have this chemical added for additional flavour. Some non-alcoholic drinks that have acetaldehyde include:
If you have an ALDH2 deficiency, you can speak to your doctor about certain foods and drinks you should cut from your diet and what you should simply reduce.
We do know that continued exposure to high acetaldehyde concentrations can not only lead to alcohol flush reaction (or Asian Flush) but also increased risks of cancer. It is classed as a Group 1 carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) for a reason.
Foods with higher levels of toxic acetaldehyde can cause increased cancer risks, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they need to be cut from your diet completely. Simply eating these foods in moderation can help! Watching your exposure to acetaldehyde, especially with alcohol, can help reduce your symptoms and acetaldehyde accumulation in the body.
However, it's impossible to completely avoid acetaldehyde in our everyday lives. This chemical is commonly found in air pollution, cigarette smoke, food, drinks and even naturally in our bodies. But by being better informed about acetaldehyde, we can limit our exposure.
That concludes our breakdown on following an ALDH2 deficiency diet. We hope this helps you regain control of your social life and health. Remember to avoid fermented foods, certain fruits, and drinks like coffee. With that said, you don't have to let your ALDH2 deficiency or sudden intolerance to alcohol affect you any longer - you can still eat and drink as normal with this incredible Asian blush cure. Learn more at Get Sunset!
]]>
So little is known about Asian Flush, even though millions of people experience it around the world.
We wanted to learn more.
That's why we created one of the first ever Asian Flush research surveys. We asked real people from around the world what it's like to experience Asian Flush. We believe that their answers can help shine a light on this condition and what Asian Flush sufferers go through.
In short: We found that Asian Flush affects individuals in a similar way: making them feel uncomfortable, embarrassed and impacts on the way we socialize. This condition can make social anxiety worse, especially in environments with alcohol. Sufferers are looking for a way to stop their symptoms and enjoy life like everyone else.
Supplements like Asian flush pills are effective at treating such bothersome symptoms. Before we explain how to treat it, let's discuss what exactly is Asian Flush.
For those who have never experienced this condition, it can be a bit confusing.
Asian Flush, or alcohol flush reaction, is a condition that means the individual cannot metabolise alcohol properly. Because this process is ineffective, the individual experiences various uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms when they consume alcohol.
In a typical system, the body begins breaking down alcohol. First it turns into acetaldehyde. Because this chemical is highly toxic, the body works hard to break it down further into a harmless chemical. Eventually, the alcohol and its toxic byproducts are fully eliminated from the body.
Individuals without Asian Flush can still experience hangovers if they aren't careful. However, they don't experience serious negative symptoms when drinking alcohol like those with Asian Flush.
For those with Asian Flush, this process is interrupted. Alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde like normal, but the body lacks an effective liver enzyme to fully break it down further (also referred to as an ALDH2 deficiency). This means that acetaldehyde begins to build up in the system rather than being broken down. When this toxic chemical floods the body, the individual drinking can become overwhelmed with negative symptoms. These include red facial flushing, dizziness and headaches.
Still unsure what Asian Flush is really like? We asked those with Asian Flush: how would you describe alcohol flushing to a friend in one sentence?
While many people don't even know this condition exists, it's clear it's a burden on those who experience it.
While more information is coming forward about Asian Flush, there's a lot we still don't know about this condition. More importantly, many people don't fully grasp how Asian Flush impacts people's daily lives, social interactions and relationships. How can you navigate the social scene when a few sips of alcohol can cause your face to go bright red? How does dizziness and headaches from Asian Flush impact a persons actions at a party? How do people react to alcohol at a work function, or first date?
We asked over 9,000 people about their life with Asian Flush - so what did we learn?
We know that Asian Flush, or alcohol flush reaction, impacts about 500 million people worldwide. Responders of our survey came from places like Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and South Africa, among many others. But does the age of the individual impact the reaction?
39% of those that responded to the survey are over the age of 31. This is the largest segment of those who responded to the survey. 25% are between 26-30 years old and finally, 37% of people are between the ages of 18-25. Overall, all age segments were relatively similar.
Does this negative condition happen consistently, every time the individual drinks? Or does Asian Flush occur more randomly? 82% of responders experience Asian Flush every time they drink alcohol. They say that it doesn't matter what type of alcohol they drink, they will still experience Asian Flush. As one can imagine, it would be incredibly frustrating that you're unable to enjoy any type of alcoholic drink without suffering an embarrassing and uncomfortable reaction.
Only 18% of people experience Asian Flush sometimes, depending on what type of alcohol they consume.
Although many people experience this condition, only 11% of responders say they have visited their doctor regarding alcohol flushing. So while it's a serious condition with some really uncomfortable symptoms, many people do not seek help from their doctor.
Of those that responded to the survey, 98% experience flushing when dealing with Asian Flush. This symptom is by far the most prominent and common symptom when dealing with this condition. Unfortunately, red flushing is almost the most visible symptom, making this condition extremely embarrassing.
The next most common symptom was headaches, at 50%. Restricted breathing and nausea were next, at 38% and 32% respectively.
Finally, itchy skin, sweating and dizziness were comparable, all around 30%.
Overall, flushing and headaches are the most commonly felt symptoms when drinking alcohol. For those who don't have Asian Flush, you can only imagine how that must make the individual feel when out with friends at a bar.
Often these symptoms can be felt as soon as the individual drinks alcohol. In some cases, the symptoms surface after their first drink. In more extreme cases, it may only take a few sips of alcohol to make these symptoms visible. It can be extremely hard to enjoy your night out if just a few sips of wine causes your face to turn bright red and your head begins pounding.
Obviously these symptoms can be uncomfortable, awkward and downright painful. But are there enough to stop alcohol consumption? Do those with Asian Flush reduce how much they're drinking, or try to ignore the symptoms completely?
Because of Asian Flush symptoms, 62% say they limit the amount of alcohol they drink. Another 26% say they have completely stopped drinking because of this condition. It's clear that these symptoms and the physical effects of Asian Flush are enough to make people change their habits completely.
Only 12% of people continue to drink as normal. However, these individual may experience less severe Asian Flush symptoms, making the whole experience a bit more bearable. Or, they may be committed enough to push through their flushing symptoms.
While alcohol is not required to have fun, or to be consumed at every social gathering, we can't pretend it's not a large part of society. When growing up, alcohol can play a key role in social environments and is often used when making friends or dating. However, this makes things very difficult for those with Asian Flush. They either need to make up an excuse as to why they are drinking less, avoid alcohol entirely, or power through painful Asian Flush symptoms so they can drink normally.
It's never as simple as others who drink alcohol without a second thought.
Which drink is the worst for flushing? Is there a correlation between the type of alcohol and the intensity of the flush reaction?
We found that 32% of responders flush the worst with red wine, with beer in second place at 22%. Whiskey and vodka come next, with 15% each. Gin, white wine and other drinks are at the bottom of the list.
Of course, this can be impacted by various factors, such as age, weight, gender, any medical conditions, how quickly the alcohol was drank, if the individual ate or not, etc. The results may also be influenced if red wine and beer are the most common drinks to order.
Even still, it's interesting to see red wine is the main culprit for flushing symptoms.
72% of responders have a family member that also deals with alcohol flushing. Most commonly, these are fathers (55%), mothers (46%) or a sibling (45%). Less commonly were aunts/uncles who experience Asian Flush at 25% and grandparents at 14%.
It seems that those closest in the family are more likely to also have Asian Flush, including parents and siblings. However, it may be that responders are unaware that an aunt or uncle experience Asian Flush.
We also know that an ALDH2 deficiency (the ineffective liver enzyme to metabolise alcohol) is often passed down through generations. This is shown through these results that parents and siblings who have Asian Flush most likely share this element with their close family.
With red facial flushing the most common symptom of Asian Flush, we wondered if this impacted makeup routines. Do those who suffer from Asian Flush turn to heavy foundations or colour-correcting concealers to help reduce red facial flushing?
Only 18% of responders specifically choose different makeup products if they know they'll be experiencing Asian Flush.
This figure could be low because not all responders wear makeup. However, this could be an avenue to help minimise red facial flushing, the most commonly felt symptom of Asian Flush.
Those who do use makeup to minimise red facial flushing commented that they tend to use either heavy products, or green-tinted products. This makes sense because of colour theory. Green is the perfect colour to minimise red, which works well in makeup products used to reduce red flushing. It may be that less people know about this trick.
People are actively looking for Asian Flush cures and solutions to this incredibly uncomfortable and embarrassing condition. We found that 77% of responders have tried different ways to stop Asian Flush.
For such a wide-spread and common condition, it's amazing that so few effective products are on the market. Asian Flush isn't regarded like other conditions like asthma, allergies or various other medical situations. Alcohol flushing is often forgotten about or remains unknown for many people.
For the purpose of the study, we looked at the most common antihistamines and supplement for reduced Asian Flush symptoms. We wanted to know what people are trying, and more importantly, what kind of results are they seeing.
So what are people using against Asian Flush?
What was the worst remedy for Asian Flush? We found that Zyrtec provided little, if any, positive results against Asian Flush. 62% of individuals who have tried Zyrtec for Asian Flush found that it did not improve their symptoms at all. Only 38% found that their symptoms improved slightly, with 0% stating Zyrtec noticeably reduced their symptoms.
This isn't too surprising because Zyrtec is a different type of antihistamine and much less effective against Asian Flush. Cetirizine, commonly sold under the brand Zyrtec, works by blocking histamine H1 receptor. In order to see real results, the antihistamine used needs to block the H2 receptor.
Typically, this medication is used for hay fever or hives, but definitely not Asian Flush.
Some users have found that Zyrtec has reduced their nasal congestion from alcohol, but very few. Others report that their redness was reduced, but not that much. Many have reported that it just doesn't work at all.
The next Asian Flush remedy with the next lowest results was Zantac.
This medication does have better results because it is a H2 histamine receptor, which is much more beneficial against Asian Flush symptoms. However Ranitidine, commonly sold as Zantac, wasn't created with Asian Flush symptoms in mind. This antihistamine is typically used for heartburn relief.
Those who have tried Zantac have reported that sometimes it reduces dizziness and redness from alcohol, but rarely and fairly inconsistently. It may also reduce some symptoms temporarily, but it doesn't last very long. Other say it hasn't helped their symptoms at all, or only very little.
Next we looked at the most well-known remedy for Asian Flush: Pepcid AC. 63% of users found that Pepcid AC did reduce their Asian Flush symptoms somewhat, with another 20% reporting that it greatly reduced their symptoms. 17% of Asian Flush sufferers found that they didn't experience any relief when using Pepcid AC.
Like Zantac, Pepcid AC is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist, making it more effective against Asian Flush.
Pepcid AC (or Famotidine) is used for stomach acid production and acid reflux. While it's not created for Asian Flush, many who suffer from this condition turn to Pepcid for some relief.
The main issue with using off-label antihistamines like Pepcid, Zyrtec and Zantac is that they do not eliminate the main culprit of Asian Flush: acetaldehyde. Rather than work to remove this toxic chemical from your system, these antihistamines merely mask the uncomfortable symptoms, such as facial flushing. This leads the individual to believe they're fine to continue drinking and make the night a bit more comfortable. But the toxic and harmful acetaldehyde will continue to accumulate in their body.
Your body experiences negative symptoms for a reason, and it can be dangerous to ignore these or simply mask the uncomfortable symptoms without actually solving the problem.
We also know that those who have this condition and continue to drink alcohol have a higher risk of certain cancers. Taking an H2 blocker helps the individual forget the problem but still exposes themselves to this cancer-causing chemical.
Even still, many people turn to Pepcid AC for relief from Asian Flush.
One of the many repeated comments about Pepcid AC is that positive results are not guaranteed, nor are they consistent. Some users say their flushing is decreased with Pepcid, but then it does nothing for them the next time they use it. Others agree and say Pepcid AC is usually "a hit or a miss" while others say it only worked for them the first time. Some may also find that they develop a tolerance to this antihistamine and have to take more and more doses to see any results.
However, because Pepcid AC is so-well known and does show some positive results, it's typically the most popular method.
Finally, we wanted to see what Asian Flush sufferers thought of Sunset Alcohol Flush Reduction, a supplement specifically designed for Asian Flush. 50% of individuals found that Sunset somewhat reduces their symptoms, whether it's red facial flushing, headaches, dizziness, hives or even congestion. Another 38% of users found that Sunset greatly improved their Asian Flush symptoms. Only 12% didn't see any improvement.
What sets Sunset apart is that it actively works to support the liver to breakdown acetaldehyde faster, so the toxic chemical isn't left in your system to cause problems. While it may be tempting to mask alcohol flushing symptoms with antihistamines, it's important to remember about acetaldehyde and its impact on the body.
Many users reported that their flushing symptoms are decreased and they actually feel much better the next day. Because of Sunset's ingredients, it can also reduce hangover symptoms so you can get back to normal life a lot quicker.
Of course, not everyone experiences perfect results and some report that while their migraines from alcohol have stopped with Sunset, they still experience some level of facial flushing.
The biggest thing with Asian Flush is its impact on your daily life. Even if you want to avoid alcohol, it's becoming increasingly more difficult to do so. Alcohol has become such a central piece in life, from socialising, dating and networking, that it can be hard to ignore.
We really wanted to know how alcohol flushing directly impacts on your life. While the results are anonymous, and the responders answered the questions separately and privately, many of the answers were the same. It was incredible to see that while this condition isn't talked about often, many of those who suffer from Asian Flush feel the same way.
Some of the key reasons alcohol flushing impacts their life included things like:
We can see that Asian Flush creates a very real negative impact on people's lives, and yet there is still so little publicity around this condition.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Asian Flush. But perhaps by spreading awareness of this condition, we can make more progress on accessible and effective solutions. When more medicines or supplements specifically designed for Asian Flush are on the market, we will all benefit. Until a specific cure is found, Asian Flush sufferers will need to either find what works best for them, or reduce their alcohol consumption.
We also cannot forget the potential cancer risks and increased health concerns that accompany Asian Flush and alcohol consumption.
Those suffering from this condition are tired of feeling left out from socialising like others, and just want the same experiences as everyone else.
Even though this condition can sometimes be isolating (especially if your friends don't flush) it's encouraging to see that many with Asian Flush feel the same way about the condition. You're not dealing with this condition alone.
]]>A stuffy, congested nose the morning after a night of drinking is an all-too-familiar feeling for many. While it may be a common occurrence, that doesn't make it any less unpleasant when it happens. The nasal congestion and overall groggy feeling brought on by alcohol can quickly dampen an otherwise fun night out. But what if you could prevent that post-drinking stuffiness altogether and wake up feeling refreshed?
In this article, we'll explore why drinking alcohol commonly leads to a stuffed up nose for so many people. More importantly, you'll discover actionable ways to stop alcohol from inflaming nasal passages so you can avoid the dreaded stuffy nose hangover. Whether you only have the occasional glass of wine at dinner or frequently enjoy late nights out, you're sure to learn valuable tips to nip post-drinking nasal congestion in the bud.
Read on to uncover the science behind the stuffy nose phenomenon as well as key strategies to prevent it from becoming an inevitable side effect of drinking alcohol.
Wondering why you experience nasal congestion after drinking alcohol?
Alcohol is not good for the body. Everyone knows that. But not many people realize that there are many ingredients, additives, and preservatives within alcoholic beverages that can cause negative side effects. In some people, these reactions look like allergy symptoms even though they don’t have a true allergy to alcohol.
While you can reduce the negative side effects of drinking by taking Asian glow pills beforehand, let's first explain the science behind why you experience a stuffy nose when drinking alcoholic beverages.
Many alcoholic beverages include common elements that can cause negative symptoms in people, such as:
So while you might have a negative reaction when drinking a beer, it’s not actually the ethanol that’s causing the problem: it could be any one of these elements listed above.
It could also be that alcohol has a natural side effect to make people congested. Alcoholic drinks have a natural vasodilatory effect which expands blood vessels.
This effect can also make you feel hot when you drink alcohol, but it can also lead to short-term nasal congestion. The blood vessels around your nasal cavity can expand, making it a bit more difficult to breathe normally.
And, this can contribute to facial redness. If you've ever wondered - why does my face get red when I drink - this could be why.
On top of those reasons, the individual may have an alcohol intolerance. An alcohol intolerance is commonly mistaken for an alcohol allergy and is often misdiagnosed. Typically, this is the result of ALDH2 deficiency. If your body is unable to remove acetaldehyde from the body, symptoms like congestion, flushing, headaches, and more can persist.
This can sound really scary - but don't stress. We have plenty of reasons on alcohol intolerances, allergies and what to do next. Our complete guide to Sudden Alcohol Intolerance is an excellent introductory resource to this condition.
After that, you may want to answer a separate - yet related - question: do I suffer from alcohol intolerance, or am I allergic to alcohol? Allergies and intolerance are separate conditions - and the treatment recommendations for each of these will vary. Gaining an in-depth understanding of the specific ailment you're suffering from will help you come up with an effective, targeted prevention or treatment plan that allows you to still enjoy alcoholic beverages without the nasty side effects.
Many people report that red wine causes the most noticeable nasal congestion, even in those without an alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance.
Have you ever gotten a stuffy nose after a glass of red wine? You could be in this category, too.
Unfortunately for wine-lovers, there’s a lot of things in wine that can cause negative reactions or intolerances.
Just like wine, beer has a lot of ingredients that can make someone react negatively. Some of the most common culprits for reactions are gluten, hops, wheat, and yeast. If you have an intolerance or sensitivity to any of these ingredients, you’ll likely react to drinking beer.
Beer also contains histamines which could cause a reaction in some people, including sneezing and stuffy nose after drinking.
Ok, so now that we've answered the question - why does my nose get stuffy when I drink? - it's time to determine whether this is really a cause for concern or not. Sure - stuffy nose after drinking sucks. This is especially true if you suffer the occasional 2-day hangover. But even with our guide on how to get rid of a hangover, you may want to dig deeper beyond the simple remedies and solutions to determine whether there is a real cause for concern here.
We've got good news, though. Suffering from stuffy nose after drinking alcoholic beverages is nothing more than a discomfort/annoyance. Nevertheless, you want to learn about preventing or treating the congestion so you can wake up feeling refreshed - even after heaving a few too many. Well, before we can teach you how to prevent or treat stuffy nose when drinking, we need to explain what the underlying cause of
Millions of people worldwide deal with a condition called Asian Flush. This is sometimes called:
This genetic condition means that you experience negative symptoms when drinking alcohol because your body is unable to process it properly. Because the body can’t break down alcohol, it’s toxic byproducts flood the system and accumulate with each drink you have.
Common signs and symptoms of Asian Flush include:
Sunset Alcohol Flush Support is a natural supplement that works specifically to reduce all of these symptoms, including a stuffy nose after drinking alcohol. Sunset works with the body to break down alcohol quickly and effectively, so you don’t experience the negative symptoms.
Even those who only deal with nasal congestion from alcohol can benefit from Sunset’s ingredients.
Want to learn more about Asian Flush? Check out our complete guide to Asian Flush for everything you need to know about this condition - including how to get rid of Asian glow altogether! Or, continue reading for the secret solution to beating alcohol intolerance or Asian flush once and for all (spoiler alert: it's not the Asian glow patches you've seen advertised!).
It can be tricky to nail down the true cause of nasal congestion from alcohol. Are you intolerant or allergic to a specific ingredient? Do you have alcohol flush reaction? Do you have a slight histamine sensitivity?
Unfortunately it can be difficult to know!
If you're intolerant or allergic to a specific ingredient - the easiest way to avoid nasal congestion in this situation is to avoid that specific ingredient. If you're truly allergic, it's really important not to expose yourself directly to that allergen. If you're unsure, make sure to always speak to your doctor before drinking again.
If you have alcohol flush reaction - Sunset Alcohol Flush Support is a great way to reduce your symptoms, including red facial flushing, a stuffy nose and headaches. Sunset can also help minimise nasal congestion from histamine in alcohol beverages as well. Want to enjoy alcohol again? Choose Sunset's medicine for Asian glow.
So, Why does my nose get stuffy when I drink? You now know that there are quite a few potential causes. Alcohol has histamines and other compounds that contribute to nasal congestion. Moreover, you could be experiencing an alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance. It's hard to tell exactly why you get a stuffy nose from drinking, but one thing is for sure: Sunset's Asian flush pills can help!
Head over to our site today to get yours. It's time to regain your confidence and social life. No more stressing over social settings where alcoholic beverages may be present - no more limiting yourself to just a single drink because you don't want to deal with congestion the next morning. With our solution, you can make a runny nose or stuffy nose from drinking a thing of the past!
Do you ever experience headaches, congestion, or other unpleasant reactions when drinking alcohol? If so, you may have a sensitivity to sulfites or histamines, common additives used in many alcoholic beverages. The good news is that with the right information, you can enjoy alcohol again without negative effects.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain exactly what sulfites and histamines are, why they cause problems for some people, and most importantly, which types of alcohol you can safely drink to avoid reactions. We've done the research so you can relax and savor drinks that mesh with your body chemistry and sensitivities.
Whether you want to prevent headaches from red wine, congestion from beer, or other symptoms, we have the tips and recommendations you need to raise a glass without worry. Let's get started on determining your ideal alcohol-without-histamine cocktail!
Sulfites in alcohol - also known as sulphites - are sulfur dioxide compounds that occur naturally in certain ingredients used to make alcoholic drinks. Sulfites help "prevent the growth of the bacteria that make the drink go cloudy and literally turn the alcohol to vinegar."
Many people believe sulphites added to drinks like wine and beer causes headaches. While there are some studies that disprove this, many people still want to avoid excessive sulfites when they can.
In more serious situations, sulfites can cause allergy-like reactions or intolerances. Common symptoms include:
Now that you have a better understanding of what it is, you probably want to know if your favorite alcoholic beverages have sulfite in them. Does vodka have sulfites? Does tequila have sulfites? Does whiskey have sulfites? Does beer have sulfites?
Below, we'll let you see for yourself with a handy chart.
The bad news is that alcoholic beverages with sulfites can cause an allergic reaction. The good news? You can find alcohol without sulfites!
Below is a comprehensive list of different alcoholic drinks, their brands and whether they contain sulfites or not. It's important to note that labeling laws are different in each country. Some places have to have "sulfites included" if they surpass a certain percentage.
While many of the beers, lagers, and ales listed below are shown as "not containing sulfites" this means that there are no added sulfites included on the label. It's a good rule of thumb that beer does naturally include sulfites, but not enough to be included on the label like other drinks.
Drink Name | Brand | Drink Type | Common Size | Alcohol percentage | Contains Sulphites? | Sulphite Level |
Absolut Vodka | Absolut | Vodka | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider | Angry Orchard | Cider | 500 ml | 5% | Yes | The level of sulphites in Angry Orchard ciders is about equal to that found in an average glass of red wine, and a bit less than an average glass of white wine. |
Aviation Gin | Aviation Gin | Gin | 70 cl | 42% | No | |
Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum | Bacardi | Rum | 70 cl | 37.50% | No | |
Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur | Baileys | Liqueur | 70 cl | 17% | No | |
Balvenie 12 Year Old American Oak Whisky | Balvenie | Whisky | 70 cl | 43% | No | |
Barefoot Shiraz Wine | Barefoot | Red Wine | 75 cl | 13.50% | Yes | |
Barefoot Chardonnay Wine | Barefoot | White Wine | 75 cl | 13.50% | Yes | |
Beck's Lager | Beck's | Lager | 275 ml | 4.80% | No | |
Birra Moretti Premium Lager | Birra Moretti | Lager | 33 cl | 4.60% | No | |
Blue Moon Belgian White | Blue Moon | Ale | 330 ml | 5.40% | No | |
Bombay Sapphire Gin | Bombay Sapphire | Gin | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Brewdog Punk IPA | Brewdog | IPA | 33 cl | 5.60% | No | |
Bud Light Seltzer | Bud Light | Seltzer | 12 fl oz | 5% | No | |
Bud Light Premium Lager | Budweiser | Lager | 30 cl | 3.50% | No | |
Budweiser Premium Lager | Budweiser | Lager | 33 cl | 4.50% | No | |
Busch Beer | Busch | Lager | 32 fl oz | 4.30% | No | |
Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Rum | Captain Morgan | Rum | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Captain Morgan White Rum | Captain Morgan | Rum | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Carlsberg Danish Pilsner | Carlsberg | Lager | 33 cl | 3.80% | No | |
Casillero Del Diablo Malbec Wine | Casillero Del Diablo | Red Wine | 75 cl | 13.50% | Yes | Any wine containing more than 10 Parts Per Million (ppm) must state ‘Contains Sulphites’ on the label. In practice, this is in almost all wine produced. There are legal limits set for total sulphur dioxide depending on the sugar level of the wine. We comply with these legal requirements (ex. the permitted range starts at a maximum 200 ppm for white and Rose wines and maximum 150 ppm for reds with 5g or less of sugar) |
Casillero Del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc Wine | Casillero Del Diablo | White Wine | 75 cl | 13.50% | Yes | Any wine containing more than 10 Parts Per Million (ppm) must state ‘Contains Sulphites’ on the label. In practice, this is in almost all wine produced. There are legal limits set for total sulphur dioxide depending on the sugar level of the wine. We comply with these legal requirements (ex. the permitted range starts at a maximum 200 ppm for white and Rose wines and maximum 150 ppm for reds with 5g or less of sugar) |
Cazcabel Blanco Tequila | Cazcabel | Tequila | 70 cl | 38% | No | |
Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur | Chambord | Liqueur | 70 cl | 16.50% | No | |
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old Whisky | Chivas Regal | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Ciroc Vodka | Ciroc | Vodka | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Corona Extra | Corona | Beer | 33 cl | 4.50% | No | |
Crown Royal Black Whisky | Crown Royal | Whisky | 75 cl | 45% | No | |
Crown Royal Canadian Whisky | Crown Royal | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum | Dead Man’s Fingers | Rum | 70 cl | 37.50% | No | |
Desperados Tequila Lager | Desperados | Lager | 33 cl | 5.90% | No | |
Disaronno Liqueur | Disaronno | Liqueur | 70 cl | 28% | No | |
Don Julio Reposado Tequila | Don Julio | Tequila | 70 cl | 38% | No | |
Echo Falls Pink Gin | Echo Falls | Gin | 70 cl | 37.50% | No | |
Estrella Damm Beer | Estrella Damm | Lager | 330 ml | 4.60% | No | |
Fireball Cinnamon Liqueur | Fireball | Whisky | 70 cl | 33% | No | |
Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Whisky | Glenfiddich | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old Whisky | Glenmorangie | Whisky | 70 cl | 43% | No | |
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur | Godiva | Liqueur | 75 cl | 15% | No | |
Gordon’s London Dry Gin | Gordon’s | Gin | 70 cl | 37.50% | No | |
Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin | Gordon’s | Gin | 70 cl | 37.50% | No | |
Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin | Greenall’s | Gin | 70 cl | 37.50% | No | |
Grey Goose Vodka | Grey Goose | Vodka | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Havana Club Anejo 3 Year Old Rum | Havana | Rum | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Heineken Premium Lager | Heineken | Lager | 33 cl | 5% | No | |
Hendricks Gin | Hendricks | Gin | 70 cl | 41.40% | No | |
Hop House 13 Lager | Hop House | Lager | 33 cl | 5% | No | |
Hpnotiq Blue Liqueur | Hpnotiq | Liqueur | 70 cl | 17% | No | |
Jack Daniels Old No.7 Whiskey | Jack Daniels | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Jagermeister Liqueur | Jagermeister | Liqueur | 70 cl | 35% | No | |
Jameson Black Barrel Whisky | Jameson | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Jameson Irish Whisky | Jameson | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky | Johnnie Walker | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila | Jose Cuervo | Tequila | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Kahlua Liqueur | Kahlua | Liqueur | 70 cl | 20% | No | |
Kopparberg Pear Cider | Kopparberg | Cider | 50 cl | 4% | Yes | The amount of sulphites varies between different products and batches, but most of Kopparberg ciders contain on average 50-70 mg/l, expressed as total SO2. |
Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime Cider | Kopparberg | Cider | 50 cl | 4% | Yes | The amount of sulphites varies between different products and batches, but most of Kopparberg ciders contain on average 50-70 mg/l, expressed as total SO2. |
Kraken Black Spiced Rum | Kraken | Rum | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
La Belle Etoile Pinot Noir Wine | La Belle Etoile | Red Wine | 75 cl | 12% | Yes | |
Magners Apple Cider | Magners | Cider | 56.8 cl | 4.50% | Yes | Levels of sulphites in Mangers ciders vary depending on flavour and packaging type (glass, can etc). For Magners Original Can approx. sulphite level is 20ppm. |
Malibu Rum | Malibu | Rum | 70 cl | 21% | No | |
Michelob Ultra | Michelob | Lager | 330 ml | 4.20% | No | |
Monkey 47 Gin | Monkey 47 | Gin | 50 cl | 47% | No | |
Old Mout Kiwi & Lime Cider | Old Mout | Cider | 50 cl | 4% | Yes | |
Peroni Nastro Azzurro | Peroni | Lager | 33 cl | 5.10% | No | |
Pimms No.1 Cup Liqueur | Pimms | Liqueur | 70 cl | 25% | No | |
Rekorderlig Apple Cider | Rekorderlig | Cider | 50 cl | 4% | Yes | |
San Miguel Lager | San Miguel | Lager | 33 cl | 5% | No | |
Skyy Vodka | Skyy | Vodka | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Smirnoff Vodka | Smirnoff | Vodka | 70 cl | 37.50% | No | |
Sourz Cherry Liqueur | Sourz | Liqueur | 70 cl | 15% | No | |
Sourz Apple Liqueur | Sourz | Liqueur | 70 cl | 15% | No | |
Stella Artois Apple Cidre | Stella Artois | Cider | 50 cl | 4% | Yes | |
Stella Artois Lager | Stella Artois | Lager | 33 cl | 4.80% | No | |
Strongbow Dark Fruits Cider | Strongbow | Cider | 50 cl | 4% | Yes | |
Suntory Roku Gin | Suntory | Gin | 70 cl | 43% | No | |
Thatchers Gold Cider | Thatchers | Cider | 50 cl | 4.80% | Yes | All of Thatchers ciders contain sulphites at less than 200 mg/L. |
Thatchers Katy Cider | Thatchers | Cider | 50 cl | 7.40% | Yes | All of Thatchers ciders contain sulphites at less than 200 mg/L. |
The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Whisky | The Macallan | Whisky | 70 cl | 40% | No | |
Wild Turkey 101 Whiskey | Wild Turkey | Whisky | 70 cl | 50.50% | No |
It's not always easy to tell if an alcoholic drink has sulfites in it, but thankfully new rules have been making it easier for consumers to find out.
The best place to check is the label. Many countries require "sulphites included" on the label. While they won't tell you how many sulphites, or to what percentage, it will at least give you an indication of if there are sulphites present.
Below are some examples of labels where sulphites are include.
While each label is different in its own way, they both include "sulphites" on the label. Even when we contacted manufacturers and companies directly, many wouldn't give a clear answer on how many sulphites are within their drinks, so it can be hard to get a clear number to compare.
A good rule of thumb is to assume all wines and ciders have a percentage of sulphites in order to preserve the freshness of the drink.
Beer is a little bit confusing. There are naturally-occurring sulphites in beer to help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. However, most countries only require the label to include "has sulphites" if there is a high percentage (or added sulphites on top of the naturally occurring ones).
The chart above shows "No Added Sulphites" on many of the beer options. This doesn't mean that there are no sulfites present, but the level of sulfites isn't high enough that it would warrant it to be listed on the label.
While sulfites in beer are quite likely at a very low level, they may still be present as the yeast produces it during fermentation. If you are allergic to sulfites, or have a negative reaction to them, the level could still trigger a response.
Just remember this - drinks with a higher alcohol percentage like whisky, vodka and gin will likely be without sulphites.
After new regulations were passed, the EU recommends that a "acceptable daily intake" of sulfites is 42mg per day for a 60kg female. Having said that, a medium glass of white wine contains 26mg of sulphites on average. Typically, white wine has more sulfites than red wine, but both types are often triggered for people with sulphite intolerances.
Some organic wines will be lower in sulphites, and some will call themselves "sulphite-free", although sulfites occur naturally in wine. To be "sulphite-free" under EU regulations, a wine must contain less than 10mg per litre. In practice, few people suffer a reaction to less than 20mg of wine sulfites. The maximum permitted level is 200mg per liter.
Beer usually has naturally-occurring sulfites but few had added sulphites on top of that. If you check the label, you'll likely see allergen notices for things like barley, oats, wheat and gluten, but likely not sulphites. If there is a higher percentage of sulphites, it should be listed on the label (such as Tetley's Cask).
We hope this article gave you a better understanding of sulfites in alcohol - what they are, what they can do to your body, which alcohol drinks have them, and how to avoid them by learning what to look for on the label.
If you find that you're not allergic to sulfites - but rather, you have an alcohol allergy or Asian flush, we can help. Not only do we have the best Asian flush cure - our Asian glow pills. But, we also have a database of helpful resources on Asian glow patches, acetaldehyde foods to avoid, how to prevent red face when drinking, and sudden alcohol intolerance.
This guide has the answers.
We'll explore the common culprits behind alcohol intolerance, from medications to health conditions. You'll also discover actionable tips to manage symptoms, from dietary changes to aids that minimize nausea. Equipped with this advice, you can troubleshoot your intolerance and toast to healthier, happier hours ahead.
Feeling sick after drinking small amounts of alcohol can be really frustrating. It's not like you had too much alcohol. So - why do you feel like you're suffering from alcohol poisoning? What causes nausea after drinking alcohol in such small quantities?
Some people can develop sudden alcohol intolerance without even realizing what it is. This condition causes negative symptoms from drinking alcoholic beverages. Every body processes alcohol differently, the main difference between a regular night of drinking being that those with alcohol intolerance feel badly almost immediately after drinking instead of uncomfortable hangover symptoms felt the next day.
Even a small amount of alcohol could be enough to trigger negative symptoms, including feeling nausea from alcohol after one drink. So even though your blood alcohol level is quite low, you still may experience uncomfortable symptoms as if you were hungover already.
Alcohol intolerance occurs in otherwise healthy individuals, and many people will feel it at some point in their lives as a factor of stress, medications, or immune system issues (ever tried a hot toddy to help with a cold that only made you feel worse?) — there are plenty of factors that can impact how alcohol is processed in the body. Those affected will experience negative symptoms, no matter what type of alcohol they are drinking.
There's a few common alcohol intolerance symptoms, such as:
Because an extremely common symptom is getting a bright red face, this condition is often referred to as alcohol flush reaction (among many other names, too). Either way, your body has a hard time dealing with alcohol and results in negative side effects, often felt right away.
So many people feel sick to the point of throwing up after drinking alcohol - but not drunk. You've only had 1-2 drinks but you feel nausea...why is this happening? Here's a quick look at the science behind alcohol nausea.
Those with alcohol intolerance have a hard time breaking down alcohol after drinking it and can sometimes experience nausea for days after drinking. Alcohol irritates many biological processes, but usually the body breaks down alcohol fairly quickly and it's eventually eliminated from the body entirely. Those with alcohol intolerance can usually only break down alcohol in part, turning it into a harmful chemical called acetaldehyde.
Acetaldehyde causes those really uncomfortable symptoms, like nausea and headaches. You can learn more about this in our complete guide covering how to remove acetaldehyde from the body naturally. Or, read our complete guides to aldh2 deficiency.
Many people believe they are allergic to alcohol when they experience these types of side effects. It's not surprising why: many of these symptoms look like an allergic reaction.
However, it's likely not the case. While a true alcohol allergy is possible, it's extremely rare (and only a tiny subset of those will be severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis that needs to be dealt with by healthcare professionals). More often than not, these kind of symptoms represent an intolerance and not a true allergy to the alcoholic beverage or ingredients. If you're not sure about your symptoms, make sure to visit your doctor or allergy specialist before drinking alcohol again.
Whether you're throwing up after drinking alcohol but not drunk, dizzy after one drink of alcohol - or simply feeling sick after drinking small amounts of alcohol - feeling nauseous after drinking alcohol sucks. And a repeated occurrence of this can be awful for your stomach lining.
But it doesn't have to be this way! Here are some tips to get rid of nausea from alcohol once and for all.
The most efficient way to reduce nausea from alcohol is to look for a supplement that helps break down alcohol quickly. Supplements like Sunset Alcohol Flush Support's Asian glow pills help the body break down alcohol efficiently and remove toxic acetaldehyde as quickly as possible. Since it's acetaldehyde that causes negative symptoms, Sunset can help reduce those symptoms by reducing the main cause.
Other ways to limit your negative symptoms would be to drink alcohol slowly, thus giving your body more time to break it down internally. Making sure you drink enough water and stay hydrated is also a good option when reducing negative symptoms, including minimising any hangovers the next day (or 2-day hangovers for that matter!).
There you have it - all about nausea from alcohol. If you struggle with feeling sick after drinking small amounts of alcohol, or throwing up after drinking alcohol but not drunk, you now know why that is. And, you have been given some of the best tips to help you make these frustrating, embarrassing symptoms a thing of the past.
The best part? With our Sunset Pills, you can still drink alcohol without the nasty drawbacks! And, you won't deal with other unpleasant hangover symptoms - like hangover anxiety, shortness of breath after drinking alcohol, or nasal congestion after drinking alcohol.
You can also explore our blog for additional resources to help you with hangover symptoms. Read our full articles on how to get rid of a hangover fast, alcohol headache cures, and why you get drunk so fast.
]]>Whether you suffer from alcohol flush reaction or not, alcohol can certainly upset your body. But a lot of the time, it's not even the alcohol causing your problem - it's other additives, like sugar.
While drinking alcohol is never going to be overtly healthy, there are a few tricks to make it a bit less negative. Here are some top healthy alcoholic drinks and tips to keep your night out comfortable, fun, and as healthy as possible, without giving up alcohol.
In addition to drinking healthier alcohol, you can also reduce flush by taking Asian glow pills. We'll talk more about that later. First - do healthy mixed drinks really exist?
At the end of the day, drinking a lot of alcohol isn’t going to be healthy. We all know that. There are many other types of drinks that can provide nutritional value while avoiding the negative effects of alcohol.
However, not all of us are interested in cutting alcohol out of our diets completely. Alcohol is a huge part of our culture and society, from a glass of wine on a first day, to a cocktail at a business function. Alcohol can be really hard to avoid and you shouldn't have to.
By following a few simple tricks and picking better drinks, you can still enjoy alcohol. And just maybe, reduce your hangover symptoms as well. Here are some things you can look for when searching for low calorie alcoholic drinks.
As mentioned earlier, one of the main culprits of the 2-day hangover isn't even alcohol - it's the insane sugar content in your drink! While part of the fun with drinking alcohol is trying fun new drinks, sticking with the basics is usually your best bet. The more that goes into making a drink, chances are, the less healthy it is. Here's what you should keep in mind if you're interested in healthy mixed drinks:
Alcoholic drinks (and even non-alcoholic drinks) with high amounts of sugar are not healthy. That’s pretty obvious. But you may not realise which drinks are the main culprits, especially after you’ve already had a few pints at the bar.
Drinks with added sugar like fructose corn syrup are best to be avoided. Mixed drinks tend to have pretty high sugar content as well, especially if they’re mixed with pop. Anything mixed with Red Bull is a disaster waiting to happen.
Sugar and calories like to go hand-in-hand, so it’s important to be aware of how much you’re drinking.
Tip: Try mixing your drink with soda water, club soda or sugar free pop. This simple change can make a huge difference: not only to your sugar-intake, but also helping your body out as well. It already has a lot of work to do breaking down the alcohol you are consuming - don’t make it work even harder trying to deal with a spike of sugar.
Did you know: A basic tonic water has over 80 calories and nearly 22 grams of sugar. That’s almost as many calories and sugar in a regular can of pop! On the flip side, soda water contains zero calories and zero sugar.
As mentioned before, sugar doesn’t help your body and certainly doesn't help when drinking alcohol. Many drinks have added sugar to improve the flavour, but it’s important to keep an eye on simple syrup. This is simply sugar dissolved in water, but if there’s a lot of simple syrup in your drink, you can expect the sugar-content to be high as well.
Tip: When making drinks at home, you can use different substitutes for simple syrup, such as honey. It has fewer calories than refined sugar with the added bonus of a few extra vitamins.
Did you know: Famous drinks like a Whisky Sour, Lemon Drop, Strawberry Daiquiri and Mojitos all use simple syrup.
Alcohol is a natural diuretic and causes dehydration. This can be a real problem for those of us who deal with alcohol headaches, often caused by this dehydration effect. The simplest way to avoid this is to stay hydrated while you drink alcohol.
You can do this by having water or a non-alcoholic drink in-between every alcoholic drink. By drinking water in-between, this gives you body some time to process the alcohol already in your system before you start adding more. This particular trick can be very helpful for those with Asian Flush who struggle to metabolise alcohol in the first place.
Tip: For every alcoholic drink you have, have one non-alcoholic drink.
Did you know: Drinking a pint of water before going to bed after a night out can greatly reduce the severity of your hangover. Make sure to drink your water!
Most people recommend sticking to one type of alcohol for the entire evening. This can help your body slightly, and can reduce the severity of your hangover. Of course, drinking way too much of one type of alcohol won’t help, either.
However, you can also chose drinks that have less alcohol content than normal. Drinks like shandies, which are half beer and half lemonade, are great options. These allow you to still have some alcohol, while the amount of alcohol in the drink is much lower overall.
If you want to go even further, you can try out some alcohol-free drinks, or alcohol-reduced drinks. While these aren’t as common as regular alcoholic beverages, they’re becoming more and more popular. For more information, you can read about our favourite low-alcohol drinks.
Want something a little different that still could be seen as “healthy”? Try a Bloody Mary. These drinks typically include vodka, horseradish, tomato juice, Worcheshire sauce, Tabasco, celery, lemon juice, salt and pepper. As you can imagine, this drink isn’t for everyone. However, some of the ingredients, like tomatoes, celery and horseradish all come with their own health benefits.
It's not the same as drinking vitamin water, but it's at least a start.
Other drinks like a vodka cranberry may be a good option for you. Vodka is low in calories, while cranberry juice has its own health benefits, such as working as an anti-inflammatory and can help improve skin appearance. An added splash of lime juice can really make this drink come together.
Tip: Drinks like shandies or spritz still have alcohol, but much lower than a typical drink. This means your body has less alcohol to metabolise, you’ll consume less alcohol and minimize your hangover the next day. A win-win!
Did you know: MillerCoors sells their non-alcoholic beer Sharp’s, which has only 58 calories per bottle. Other light beers may have calories from 55 - 120 per bottle. While they're not always available at bars, many shops and supermarkets are getting more low-alcohol content drinks.
Of course this all depends on the type of drink, the brand, the amount of alcohol content and the size of the serving, but typically:
A standard glass of wine (175ml, white wine or red wine) could have around 160 calories. A bottle of wine could get you close to 700 calories.
A shot of dark spirit (5ml) like whisky with a mixer typically contains about 105 calories. Light-coloured spirits (such as vodka) tend to have slightly less calories.
A pint of lager would equal around 180 calories.
Did you know: A vodka soda is a decent, low-calorie option. Vodka typically has about 95 calories per 1.5 ounces while soda water has no calories. This is a far better option than pounding vodka shots, as well. Because the alcohol is mixed with a cold, calorie-free mixer, it makes you drink it much slower. This gives your body some time to metabolize the alcohol before getting flooded with more and more. At the same time, you’re working towards staying hydrated by including the soda water.
While a simple glass of red wine may not seem like a huge issue, most people don’t stop at just one. After a handful of various drinks and mixers, your calorie-intake for the night can skyrocket. A lot of people don't realise that a few beers could end up being the same as a cheeseburger and fries meal from McDonalds.
Of course, drinking alcohol isn’t part of most weight loss programs, nor will a handful of pints at the pub help you lose weight. However, it’s helpful to keep in mind how much you’re drinking and the potential calories associated with those drinks.
Looking for some of the low calorie alcoholic drinks we've been teasing since the start of this article? Featuring lime juice, lemon juice, club soda, and other healthy mixers - these are a great choice for your next night out":
Vodka tonic: vodka is a low calorie, low carbohydrate spirit that is often drunk neat or with water or soda. Tonic water contains quinine, which has health benefits such as malaria prevention.
Gin and diet tonic: like vodka, gin is a low calorie, low carbohydrate spirit that can be drunk neat or with mixer drinks like diet tonic which has no sugar and fewer calories than regular tonic water.
Mojito: made with light rum, lime juice, sparkling water, muddled mint and sugar (or honey), mojitos are refreshing and healthy - especially if you make them yourself using fresh ingredients rather than bottled mixes.
Margarita: tequila is another healthy option for spirits - it's a high in antioxidants drink that also helps to boost your metabolism. Mix it with orange juice (or other fruit juices) and agave nectar (a natural sweetener) for a healthier margarita alternative.
There you have it - a few of the lowest calorie mixed drinks you can try on your next night out to avoid empty calories which lead to weight gain. And, by following our advice, you can say goodbye to some of the more brutal hangover symptoms, too!
Want to learn more about staying healthy while drinking? Learn about alcohol sulfites, nasal congestion after drinking alcohol, or shortness of breath after drinking alcohol in our blog. We are your trusted resource for all things Asian flush, too. Learn about how to get rid of Asian glow in our full guide, or check out our article breaking down sudden alcohol intolerance.
]]>
You suffer from Asian Flush, or alcohol flushing reaction, but you still want to have a drink with friends. Do you push through the pain of getting a red face, or can you make better drink choices?
A great way to reduce your Asian Flush symptoms from alcohol is to simply abstain from drinking alcohol. However, you can still enjoy a few cold ones every now and then without experiencing the frustration of facial flushing - just choose the best alcohol for Asian flush.
Not all alcohol will impact you the same way. You might get a severe reaction from red wine, but a minimal reaction from cider. The same is true of vodka vs whiskey.
In addition to better choices when it comes to alcoholic drinks, there are non-alcoholic or low alcohol drinks that are available as well. Are they worth it? We'll answer this question and more in the following article, including whether or not you should take Asian glow pills to help with alcohol-related issues.
Here's everything you need to know about choosing the right drinks when living with alcohol flush reaction.
Before we start, it's good to know the basics. You've probably seen ABV around while consuming drinks, but what does it actually mean? ABV stands for Alcohol By Volume (sometimes shown as alc/vol). This is a standard measure of how much alcohol is in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage (shown as a volume percent).
ABV gives us a good understanding of how strong a particular alcoholic drink is going to be. Common ABV values for typical drinks are:
Low-alcohol beer: 0.5% - 1.2%
Beer: 4% - 6%
Cider: 4%-8%
Wine: usually 12.5%–14.5%
Rum: 40%
Gin: 37.5%–50%
Whisky: usually 40%, 43% or 46%
As you can see, ABV can vary drastically between different types of alcohol. If you're struggling with Asian Flush, or alcohol flush reaction, you may want to look for low-alcohol or reduced-alcohol drinks instead of traditional drinks.
Low-alcohol refers to beverages which have an ABV between 0.5% and 1.2%, such as the low-alcohol beer mentioned in the chart above.
Reduced alcohol means a drink has lower alcohol content than the average strength of a particular drink. This means that wine with an ABV strength of 5.5%, is a reduced alcohol wine. While it's much lower than usual (wine is typically 12.5%-14.5%), it's still higher than the low-alcohol category.
Both options are reasonable choices when wanting to avoid alcohol flush reaction. While you're still consuming alcohol, the alcohol content is much lower than normal. You will probably still experience flushing symptoms, but at a lower severity.
Plus it means you can still hang out at the bar with friends without having to sip water all night.
Those who experience Asian Flush will notice uncomfortable and often severe negative symptoms from drinking alcohol - like their face turning red after drinking, or they start feeling sick after drinking small amounts of alcohol. Oftentimes, it can happen after just a few sips. This is because of a deficient liver enzyme to properly break down alcohol in the body.
When consuming alcoholic drinks, that alcohol is converted into toxic acetaldehyde, which builds up in the body. Normally, that would be then broken down further into a harmless chemical, but this process doesn't happen in those with Asian Flush. Instead, acetaldehyde continues to accumulate in the body, causing symptoms such as red facial flushing, headaches, restricted breathing, and dizziness.
That's why making strategic choices when it comes to alcohol is so important.
So with all that said, what is the best alcohol for Asian flush? Below, we'll break down your different choices. Basically, it just comes down to choosing low alcohol content - or better yet, non-alcoholic drinks altogether. We'll start there, as that is your best bet.
"Non-alcoholic drinks" and "alcohol-free" are often used interchangeably but it's important to note they mean two different things.
Non-alcoholic drinks contain no alcohol at all. We'll list some options down below that you can check out, without any alcohol content.
Drinks labeled as "alcohol-free" will contain a very small amount of alcohol but only at a strength of 0.05% or less (although this can change country-to-country).
It's important to know the difference if you're truly looking for drinks with no alcohol content. Here are a few of our favorite alcohol-free beers:
Like we mentioned before, these drinks are listed as having no alcohol content at all. Thankfully, there's actually much more choice in this category than in recent years. It's much easier to find a decent non-alcoholic beer than ever before!
Although certain bars or pubs may only carry a small selection, shops are beginning to increase the amount of non-alcoholic beers they carry.
Even if you don't suffer from Asian Flush, or alcohol flush reaction, these beers are a great option if you're looking to cut down on your alcohol intake, or just want to avoid a 2-day hangover.
Budweiser Prohibition (0.0%) - Lots of drinkers claim this non-alcoholic Budweiser tastes just like the original, which is great to hear! This one is best severed very cold to get that Bud-taste. Soon you'll forget you're not drinking real beer.
Nirvana Kosmic Stout (0.0%) - London-based independent craft brewing company Nirvana launched their non-alcoholic beer Kosmic Stout. You'll taste hints of vanilla and chocolate followed by a smooth malted hop base. It's definitely a great choice for something different without having any alcohol content.
Bavaria Premium Malt (0.0%) - With only 25 calories per 100ml, you can enjoy this non-alcoholic beer without any worries. Bavaria Premium has a distinct malty, smooth and refreshing taste, just like a real beer.
Just like the non-alcoholic beer, these non-alcoholic wine choices are a great way to limit your alcohol intake.
Pri Secco Organic Cuvée Nr 29 (0.0%) - Coming to us from Germany, this non-alcoholic wine contains a mix of apple and pear, with added herbs, spices and flowers (especially roses.
Belvoir Shiraz Without The Hangover (0.0%) - If you still want to drink a deep red wine but without the alcohol, this is a great option. This non-alcohol wine has a "grown-up" taste with notes of blackcurrant, vanilla and a semi-sweet fruity flavour. Surprisingly, it also has a slightly mouth drying finish with a hint of spice normally associated with a Shiraz red wine. It's like you're drinking the real thing!
Vintense Cabernet Sauvignon (0.0%) - This lovely non-alcoholic wine has wonderful notes of cherry and cranberry and pairs well with strong-tasting meat and cheese. A great full-bodied option with no alcohol content.
As we've said a few times now, the best drinks for Asian flush are those with 0.00% ABV.
However, if you want to lower your alcohol intake, another option would be to opt for drinks that have low alcohol content. Obviously, they're not as common in bars and pubs as normal alcoholic drinks, but they're still available. They're also a great option to have at home for dinner parties or special occasions since you can take the time to find the ones you like, as bars won't have the largest selection.
Consuming less alcohol will also help Asian Flush symptoms. Although they will still appear, the negative symptoms from alcohol will be less intense than when you drink alcohol normally.
Big Drop Brewing Co (0.5%) - This English company is solely focused on creating beers with an ABV of 0.5% or less. They offer some great selections from a stout, pale ale, lager or spiced ale and even new special edition beers popping up. Their Pale Ale won Worlds Best Style in the 2017 World Beer Awards. Need we say more?
Jever Fun (0.5%) - The German Jever Fun is a great alternative to regular beer. It has none of the sickly sweet taste that can be found in other low-alcoholic beers and it remains still light and crisp. Great for a hot summers day!
Jupiler (0.5%) - Coming to us from Belgium, Jupiler is another great option for a low-alcohol beer. With a fruity taste and aroma, Jupiler is very smooth and with a crisp finish.
Erdinger Alkoholfrei (0.5%) - Erdinger Alkoholfrei, another German on the list, only has 125 calories per 0.5-litre bottle and is made exclusively from natural ingredients. This one has a great, full-bodied taste while being incredibly refreshing.
Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon (0.5%) - This low alcohol wine comes to us from California’s Napa Valley and has a chocolate and berry taste. This vineyard ages their wine in small oak barrels and are filtered according to traditional winemaking methods. Finally, more than 99.5% of the alcohol is removed through a cold filtration process, but leaves that great wine taste.
Torres Natureo Muscat (0.5%) - This white wine is a great option when you want to limit your alcohol content. Torres Natureo Muscat is a pale yellow wine which aromas of white flowers and fresh fruit (such as quince and Guyot pear). This is a great wine to pair with seafood and rice.
Rawson’s Retreat Cabernet Sauvignon (0.5%) - This red wine only has 38 calories per 250ml glass! So not only can you enjoy a low-alcohol red wine that still tastes great, you also get minimal calories as well.
Are you looking to make some alcoholic drinks at home? Or want to try something new at the bar, but want to keep your flushing symptoms minimal? FLUSHED is a great option for both!
This digital book offers loads of information about Asian Flush and specific recipes for drinks that will minimise your flushing reaction. You can also learn about ingredients that you should avoid in drinks to limit your symptoms and how to make some great beverages at home.
It also provides an easy-to-read allergen rating for each drink, so you can better understand that drink's level of tannins, sulphites and other allergens like dairy or gluten.
The more you understand about what goes into certain alcoholic drinks, the more you can limit your own Asian Flush symptoms.
If you experience Asian Flush, chances are that you've seen Kale Vodka advertised.
Kale Vodka by Ving states that it utilises kale, lemon peel and cucumber to make an organic, gluten-free drinking option. Kale Vodka is marketed as histamine and sulfite-free, which are two common allergens in alcohol.
If you experience alcohol intolerance, it may be due to histamines or sulphites contained in alcohol. By eliminating them in their vodka, Ving could potentially be flush-free.
However, Ving vodka hasn't been scientifically tested on whether it reduces flushing. And unfortunately, it still contains alcohol which is the main problem.
Those with an ALDH2 deficiency, or Asian Flush, struggle to breakdown alcohol in their system. This process causes the most flushing and isn't solved with Kale Vodka. Although symptoms may be reduced, especially if histamines or alcohol sulfites upset your system as well as alcohol, but the buildup of toxic acetaldehyde will still occur.
Hopefully, you found an answer to your question - what alcohol is best for Asian flush? As you can see, there are quite a few options - from Kale vodka to low-ABV beer, wine, and more. Remember, though, you can get rid of Asian glow altogether with Sunset pills - the best Asian blush cure to date.
Want to learn more about this condition - or alcohol intolerance? Our blog has a plethora of helpful resources for those suffering from Asian flush. Learn about using an Asian glow patch, alcohol flush reaction & cancer, shortness of breath after drinking alcohol, or stuffy nose from alcohol in our blog!
We’ll explore how alcohol impacts your brain chemistry and motor functions, why some people experience “Asian flush” after drinking, and if those miracle hangover cures really live up to the hype. We'll even dive into how Asian glow pills can help you get rid of red face after drinking alcohol.
So whether you’re a seasoned drinker or casual cocktail enthusiast, read on to uncover the intricacies of inebriation with a side of science – from first sip to next morning regret and all the drunken antics in between. You’ll gain wisdom beyond “hair of the dog” folk remedies, and tackle future happy hours armed with knowledge (if not better drinking habits).
Grab a mocktail and bottoms up – class is in session on Alcohol 101!
Let's get right to the point: your body doesn't like alcohol. Once it enters your system, your body works hard to break it down and get rid of it immediately. Too much alcohol in the system results in getting drunk.
But how does getting drunk work?
The specific type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Thankfully, alcoholic drinks you purchase at the bar do not contain pure alcohol. Consuming pure alcohol can be seriously dangerous as it only takes a few ounces to quickly raise your blood alcohol level to a dangerous level.
Instead, different types of drinks will have different ethanol concentrations (by volume) such as:
Once you consume an alcoholic drink, the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach (about 20%) and the small intestine (80%) before entering the bloodstream. Once the alcohol in the bloodstream, it gets carried around the body and exerts its effects on the body.
The observed effects depend directly on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which is related to the amount of alcohol consumed. Basically, your blood alcohol concentration tells you how much you have in your system at any given time.
Next, the body works to get rid of the alcohol. Some will be removed by the kidneys, some through the lungs and the majority will be eliminated by the liver.
The SciShow has a great video on the impact of alcohol on humans.
An average person can eliminate 0.5 oz (15 ml) of alcohol per hour. So, it would take about one hour to remove the alcohol from a 12 oz can of beer. Getting that alcohol out of your system really takes some serious effect.
So you've had a glass of wine and your body begins to break down the alcohol. Your liver produces an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts alcohol into acetaldehyde.
Acetaldehyde is a toxic chemical that needs to be reduced into harmless acetic acid as soon as possible. Even still, acetaldehyde can cause some really uncomfortable symptoms when it hangs around in your system, such as a flushed face and headaches.
But, given time, your body will break down acetaldehyde and remove the remaining alcohol from your system. If you've drank enough in a short amount of time, chances are you'll feel the symptoms of being drunk before your body clears the alcohol out of your system.
You might also experience all the fun symptoms of being hungover the next day.
In a "normal" body, acetaldehyde will be broken down into acetic acid and the individual drinker is none the wiser. They can still experience being drunk and subsequently hungover symptoms later on, but at a usual severity.
However, not all are impacted by acetaldehyde equally.
Those with the condition "Asian Flush" causes the individual to experience much more severe and fast-acting symptoms when exposed to acetaldehyde. Those with Asian Flush have a genetic deficiency called ALDH2 which impairs their ability to break down acetaldehyde. This means this toxic chemical hangs around in their system far longer and causes immediate symptoms, such as red flushed skin, headaches, dizziness and/or hives.
When someone with Asian Flush has a drink, or even a few sips of alcohol, they can experience negative symptoms right away. It almost seems like they are immediately drunk.
So while it may seem those with Asian Flush have a low tolerance to alcohol, it's because of their genetic enzyme deficiency that causes them to react so severely to acetaldehyde when drinking.
People with this condition need to be more aware of how much they are drinking as high levels of acetaldehyde in their system can be dangerous.
Even though it's typically called "Asian Flush" this condition can effect anyone, even if you're white. Learn more about Caucasian Asian flush in our complete guide.
Oftentimes people will ask: "how many drinks will get me drunk?" This is a tough question! How many drinks, or units, of alcohol it takes to get a person drunk will vary from person to person.
The rate of intoxication depends on different factors such as:
So - what does being drunk look like, exactly? Or, even the symptoms of being buzzed?
Obviously, everyone is different so drunk symptoms will vary. Different types of alcohol may even have different effects on you. However, the common symptoms of being drunk can include:
Some people may find that certain drinks like cider make them sleepy, whereas gin makes them bubbly. A lot of it depends on the person and how their body reacts to the alcohol they're drinking. A person's personality may also impact how they display drunk symptoms.
However, there are a few different stages of "drunkenness" that most people will experience.
Different levels of BAC will often correspond to different levels of drunkenness.
Death will occur in an individual with a BAC more than 0.50%
While you may want to drink at the bar, you may also want to avoid getting drunk. This is especially true if you have a habit of throwing up after drinking alcohol - even though you're not drunk. Maybe you simply want to avoid the 2 day hangover. Either way, you do have options...
Sure, you could avoid alcohol altogether, but sometimes that's not very practical (or fun). Here are some easy tips to minimise the symptoms of alcohol consumption when you drink alcohol:
By forcing yourself to consume alcohol slower, you'll be giving your body time to properly break it down in your system. You'll also end up drinking less over the course of the night.
Based on our rule of thumb, your chances of getting drunk greatly decrease if you're not having more than one drink an hour, so pacing yourself is key!
To help yourself drink alcohol slower, try ordering drinks that are very cold or filled with ice. If you order a glass of red wine, it can be easy to drink it quickly. However, you physically won't be able to chug a drink when it's too cold, forcing yourself to drink slowly.
Choosing drinks with less alcohol content is an easy way to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. Thus, you'll lower your chances of getting drunk. Drinks like shandies, which are beer mixed with a non-alcoholic drink like lemonade, are a great choice.
You still get the fun of being out with friends, and drinking, but your drink's alcohol content is much lower than usual. Learn more about healthy mixed drinks in our breakdown of the best alcohol for Asian flush.
Alternate your alcoholic drinks with water and/or non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night. You'll drink less alcohol overall, plus you'll remain hydrated. Staying hydrated makes a huge difference in getting drunk and possible hangover symptoms the next day.
It's also helpful to leave a glass of water beside your bed so you can continue hydrating yourself when you wake up in the morning. When you aren't researching how to get red if a hangover fast the next day, you'll look back and thank yourself!
We all know alcohol isn't healthy for us, but it is ingrained in many aspects of our lives. From a pint with friends at a bar, to a glass of wine at a business dinner, alcohol is everywhere. That's why it's so important to remember the health effects of alcohol and what alcohol does to your body.
Alcohol exhibits two main phases. At the beginning, the individual will experience "stimulating effects and euphoria." At this early stage, alcohol reduces your inhibitions and will release a little dopamine to make you feel good.
Then depressive effects will begin.
Consuming alcohol increases the effects of the inhibitory transmitter Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that dampens responses. Too much GABA causes communication between neurons in the brain to slow down, decreasing cognition, fine motor skills and judgement.
We all know the feeling, but it's important to remember what's actually happening in your body during these phases when consuming alcohol.
We know alcohol isn't healthy. The odd drink here and there can have minimal effects, but continued abuse of alcohol can result in numerous long-term effects:
It's important to keep an eye on your alcohol intake and ensure it remains within a safe consumption rate.
No matter what type of drink you prefer, it's vital to drink responsibly. You may still experience the effects of drinking alcohol, but with a better understanding of what it means when you get drunk, you can minimise your symptoms.
Similarly, there is a link between Asian flush and cancer - which we have a comprehensive article on if you'd like to learn more.
We hope you have a better grasp on the science of getting drunk after reading this complete guide. You've gained answers to all your questions, including - what does being drunk look like? How does being drunk work? What does being drunk do you in the long run?
If you want to learn more about drinking alcohol, check out our blog. We have great resources in store for you - such as how to get rid of Asian glow, our complete guide to sudden alcohol intolerance, how to get rid of alcohol breath instantly, or why you might be short of breath after drinking alcohol.
So you've gone out and forgotten to take Sunset before you started drinking, and you're a little redder than you'd like.
But wait, a camera!
Damn, that would be a great photo if you weren't redder than a fluorescent tomato.
📸😡
Dealing with Asian Flush is hard, but it shouldn't ruin all your photos out with friends.
Fortunately, there's a foolproof way to get your flushed-face photos looking better in no time (in case you didn't take Asian flush pills ahead of time). All it takes is Photoshop (or any similar software that allows you to change the hue and saturation for an individual colour channel will work) and a few seconds once you know how.
Although Asian Flush, or alcohol flush reaction, can manifest in numerous symptoms, getting a red flushed face is the most common. Unfortunately, it's also the most visible symptom that is incredibly hard to hide.
Learning the root cause of your condition (ALDH2 deficiency) and finding an Asian blush cure is always going to be better than Photoshop, but we're here to help with some alternative options in the meantime.
Here's a quick video tutorial for fixing a photo with a single flushed face. We'll be updating this article with a few more examples and in-depth tutorials to show you how to mask and alter redness in images with several people soon, so make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel if that interests you!
Open the photo you'd like to change in Photoshop and duplicate the layer.
With the new layer selected, click on Hue/Saturation. "Master" will be selected as the default, but this needs to change to "Reds." This will allow you to change the hue/saturation of all reds in the photo, rather than the whole photo itself.
Using the Eyedroper, select the reddest part of the flushing you'd like to remove. Move the Saturation bar to the farthest right position to easily see what you'll be fixing. Then by using the slider icons, drag the slider to select all of the redness. When you're happy with your selection, return the Saturation bar to it's normal place in the centre.
You'll want to slightly increase the Lightness bar and then increase the Hue bar into the Blue section.
Duplicate the newly created layer until the redness is gone. You can go in and edit the sliders of the new duplicated layers to make sure the skin looks natural.
When you're happy with the newly reduced flushed cheeks, group those layers together (Command+G) then create a mask.
Using a black brush, paint over the lips to return them to their natural red colour. This will revert that area of the photo to its original state without reverting the rest of the photo to its original state.
And you're done! You're left with a great looking photo and only distant memories of getting a red face.
Red flush apps are an excellent option for those suffering from Alcohol Flush Reaction (also known as Asian Flush).
Red Flush apps are just another way to edit your photos and hide that red face. However, some of these are designed to make it easy for people with this condition to track their alcohol consumption and monitor how much they can safely drink. The app also provides users with helpful tips on how to reduce the effects of Alcohol Flush Reaction, such as folllwing an ALDH2 deficient diet.
Another great feature of the Red Flush apps is that they help users track their progress over time. This helps them to better understand how their body reacts to alcohol and make adjustments accordingly. Additionally, the app can be used to set personal goals, such as reducing alcohol consumption or tracking how long red face from alcohol lasts.
Overall, Red Flush apps are a great tool for those suffering from alcohol flush reactions and can help them make more informed decisions about their alcohol consumption. But as mentioned earlier, you're not addressing the root cause of the issue with a red flush app. Here's a better way...
Whether your red face after drinking is caused by ALDH2 deficiency or alcohol intolerance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And that's why you should try our solution. It's proven to help you remove acetaldehyde from the body naturally to prevent the symptoms of alcohol flushing.
This means you can retake control of your social life and feel confident enjoying a few drinks with friends or family. You won't be embarrassed by any pictures taken that night. You can get back to loving the skin you're in. All without spending your time editing photos with red flush apps or other technology!
If you'd rather prevent alcohol flush before it starts, try Sunset. You won't regret it!
Want to learn more about living with this condition? Check out our articles on Asian glow patches, the Asian flush reaction cancer risk, why your nose gets stuffy when you drink, or the best alcohol for Asian flush.
]]>Why does my face get red when I workout? Whether you're struggling with red face after running, swimming, biking, or even lifting weights, it can be really concerning. Is something seriously wrong with you?
Thankfully, you don’t need to stress. Those flushed cheeks are the sheer result of exerting yourself and your body responding to that exertion through sweating, skin redness, and a higher internal temperature.
However, if your hot, flushed face is accompanied by symptoms like higher bodily temperature remaining for more than a half hour, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or low blood pressure, you should call your doctor right away and make an appointment.
If not, continue reading and you’ll find out both the causes of your cherry-red skin and how you can reduce the redness on your face after exercising by taking a vitamin supplement like our flush pills.
So, why does my face get red when I workout? What gives? Unfortunately, the answer isn't as simple as you may think. That's because facial redness after exercise can be the result of several factors.
For some, it's nothing more than increased blood flow causing facial redness. For others, it could be more serious - like heat exhaustion (leading to heat stroke in worst case).
In order to better understand the causes which lead to this intense blushing, we’ve outlined the most common ones here.
Everybody knows that the body releases heat through sweat, but did you know that it also does that through widening your blood vessels and capillaries, even on your face?
This process happens so that heat can be taken to the surface of the skin, which helps to cool you off and to provide your bloodstream with extra oxygen. By doing this, your cardiovascular system can work more efficiently while you work out, leaving you to feel cooler as opposed to this process not taking place at all.
Some people, on the other hand, have more capillaries than others on their face, which also contributes to their hot, extra-flushed cheeks.
Skin conditions are caused by extra-sensitive blood vessels, which are prone to excessive skin redness after a tough workout. Additionally, if you suffer from a skin disorder such as Rosacea, then some of your capillaries may be broken, which means that the dilatation of the blood vessels makes the redness even worse than it should be.
Another cause can be a disorder called vasomotor instability. This occurs when the vasomotor center of the brain wants to cool you off, therefore dilating your capillaries, veins, and arteries. This way the blood has space to move more freely, which cools it down faster, but results in intense red flushes.
People with a fair complexion and sensitive skin are more likely to experience more intense brightened up skin after exercising than those who don’t. The reason? Pale skin almost always results in skin redness after the body is put under pressure, especially if it’s prone to be more sensitive.
This is simply due to the redness being more noticeable on a lighter skin tone. If this is the case, there’s no need to worry, it’s something completely normal.
If the above-mentioned reasons are not the cause for your cheeks blushing after working out, one of the following two might just be.
Is the place where you exercise, whether that is a gym or an outside space, too hot or too heated? If this is the case, that red flushing is easily preventable. Simply choose a cooler environment, or if exercising outside, wait for the sun to go down before hitting that road for a jog.
Another reason may be dehydration. Not drinking enough water causes skin flushing when putting your body through intense training, so make sure you drink around 4 liters a day when hitting the gym. By hydrating your body more and drinking plenty of water, your skin will at most be rosy-white instead of red.
Regardless of the cause of your extremely red face after exercise, chances are, you want to fix the problem. Apart from keeping your body well-hydrated and exercising in a cooler environment, there are some other ways in which you can reduce those red flushes after you’re done with your workout.
Very few people enjoy cold showers, but if you want to take one of the easiest routes, you might start considering this option. Not only will a cold shower considerably reduce the redness, but it will also speed up the recovery of your sore muscles, which is extremely beneficial, especially after long and vigorous training.
This is due to the cold water being able to soothe inflammation, so bravely step into the shower and gradually soak your body in it, or if you prefer, hold your breath and pour it down your shoulders.
Over time and repeated exposure, your body will get used to the cold eventually and it will only get easier and more comfortable with time. This is a great option to control your body temperature as well, especially after a seriously tough workout.
Of course, as you relax after exercising and your cold shower, you'll experience a decreasing heart rate and your body will slowly get back to normal, non-rosy cheeks and all.
Exercising is great, but it can be tough on your skin. Check out Renee's video on tips and tricks to looking after your skin while still working out.
If your brightened-up cheeks need some soothing after any kind of physical activity, an anti-redness moisturizer may be the product that will work for you. The minerals will calm your skin significantly while taking care of the redness, usually reducing it from intense red to rosy-white.
Beware that some moisturizers are more effective than others, so choose carefully and make sure to read the reviews in order to see if it actually works.
This is a more extreme (and expensive) option, but it’s effective and can prevent further intense red flushes, especially if you have a skin condition like Rosacea.
The procedure involves undergoing a couple of laser treatments, depending on the intensity of your flushes, where the blood vessels in your face will be reduced. The results can be quite satisfying, so talk to a plastic surgeon and see if this is the right option for you.
So - why does my face get so red when I workout? Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the root cause of red face after exercise now that you've read our complete guide. In summary, here's what you need to know:
Skin flushing can be a frustrating thing, especially if it occurs very often and is severe. Fortunately, it’s possible for it to be significantly reduced by lowering your core temperature. You can also maximize oxygen intake to help give your blood flow a chance to slow down. If you have super fair skin, this is just a natural response to an intense workout.
As soon as you identify the cause of your skin redness, you can choose the right treatment and/or prevention technique that will work best for you and your particular situation. Learn more about the #1 flush pill by Sunset! It's not just used for Asian flush or sudden alcohol intolerance!
]]>Nothing ruins a night out drinking quite like that thumping headache that will never go away. The kind that relentlessly pulsates and intensifies whenever you move your head, let alone try to dance!
We all know that alcohol and headaches often come together — often even only after small amounts, but have you ever thought that there was more to it than just that? Getting a headache after drinking alcohol could actually be an Asian flush headache instead.
This particular Asian glow / Asian flush headache is the direct result of exposure to a toxin from the metabolism of alcohol called acetaldehyde and is usually accompanied by a host of other symptoms like a red face, elevated heartbeat and restricted breathing. To reduce the effect of these frustrating issues, consider taking Asian flush pills. Or, read on below to learn more about the alcohol headache cure you've been searching for.
First, understand that if you suffer from Asian flush headaches you are not alone. In the largest ever survey on Asian Flush, the results showed that 50% of responders experience headaches after alcohol, the second most common symptom.
Getting a red face after drinking is the only symptom that occurs more frequently in Asian Flush sufferers, with 98% of responders reporting experiencing that symptom.
In addition, many Asian Flush sufferers reported that they experience both flushing and headaches together when they drink alcohol. It's easy to understand why Asian Flush and these uncomfortable symptoms can easily ruin your night out.
So - if you're looking for an Asian flush cure - or specifically, an alcohol headache cure - keep reading below...
Now, forget the other symptoms for a moment and let's just focus on the headache. It's no surprise that getting a headache from drinking alcohol has consequences beyond just the pounding pain in your head. This is because alcohol is the ultimate drink for good times, fun, bonding, courting and celebration!
Yep, we really did luck out on that one. It's precisely in these moments that we want to be feeling clear, composed and in good spirits - not feeling like our heads are on the brink of implosion.
If you're nodding your head because you know what we're talking about then keep reading. We've come up with a list of tried and tested ways to stop a headache from alcohol so that you can better enjoy those good times in life without feeling uncomfortable.
Ok, let's get this started with the first alcohol headache cure you can try:
You can do this by using a high-quality N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) based Asian flush supplement like Sunset Alcohol Flush Reduction.
The reason why NAC supplementation is so effective is that it ensures the body can produce enough of a powerful antioxidant called glutathione that helps keep acetaldehyde levels low.
To learn more about why having low acetaldehyde levels is important for avoiding a headache from alcohol, check out our article on ALDH2 deficiency or sudden alcohol intolerance.
Otherwise, take our word for it and get yourself a reliable high-quality NAC based Asian flush supplement to take before you go out drinking. Not only will it keep acetaldehyde levels low enough to avoid the Asian flush headache, but it will also reduce flushing and other symptoms so you can better enjoy alcohol consumption like everyone else.
One reason customers keep coming back to buy Sunset is that we've gone the extra mile to truly make Asian flush headaches a thing of the past. Along with ample amounts of high-quality NAC, Sunset is the only Asian flush supplement to also contain precisely the right amount of L-theanine to supercharge the effectiveness of its NAC and stop alcohol-related headaches in their tracks.
According to the National Headache Foundation, ethanol can have a dehydrating effect on the body. In particular, it affects the fluids around the brain and causes a fall in blood pressure and blood flow to the brain.
If you are already dehydrated before you begin consuming alcohol then these changes could easily cause the onset of a headache on their own, not to mention exacerbating the severity of an existing Asian flush related headache.
As for how much water is required to ensure that you're hydrated enough to consume alcohol? According to Leslie Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the Center for Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, "one size doesn't fit all". She emphasizes that your size and general level of activity affects how much water you need to drink to stay adequately hydrated (i.e. the larger and more active you are, the more you need to drink).
One slightly off-putting yet highly useful indicator of how hydrated you are is the color of your urine. The darker the color, the more dehydrated you probably are. So to reduce the severity of your Asian flush related headaches make sure that your urine is a light color before consuming alcohol.
Whilst listed here as a "Tip", we must make it clear that we do not recommend taking any medication for a purpose otherwise intended by the manufacturer. In fact, in our article titled "Effect of Pepcid AC, Zantac and Zyrtec on Asian Flush" we talk about the various dangers associated with the off-label use of heart burn medication for Asian flush.
That said, this method warrants a mention because of its popularity. It is common practice for a lot of Asian flush sufferers to use heart burn medication to prevent the onset of their symptoms - including the Asian flush headache.
The problem is that the antihistamine effect of the heart burn medication masks the symptoms of Asian flush and does nothing to prevent the acetaldehyde toxicity that is causing it. It should be noted that this has very serious health implications for people with Asian flush, as discussed in our article: Debunking the Asian Flush Cancer Risk.
Yes, that's right. The rate at which you consume alcohol can dramatically affect your body's ability to metabolize it correctly. Especially for people like us with Asian flush, our deficient metabolic enzymes need all the help they can get. That's why our final alcohol headache cure is to drink smarter!
One of the most effective ways of avoiding an alcohol-related headache is to drink very slowly. For example, taking 30 to 40 minutes to finish one standard drink allows your body more time to deal with the toxins that are causing your Asian flush headache.
Whilst effective, this method can get a little annoying when all you want to do is down a cold beer quickly on a hot summer day. It's times like those that you'll need to use the methods discussed in the first alcohol headache cure mentioned above.
There are some studies that have demonstrated a negative correlation between vitamin C levels in the body and acetaldehyde concentration in the liver.
In other words, the more vitamin C you have in our body when you drink alcohol the less acetaldehyde there will be in your blood to cause your Asian flush headache.
Another key benefit of supplementing with Vitamin C is that it acts as an essential cofactor in the enzymatic reactions that prevent alcohol flushing. It is essential for the proper breakdown of NAC into Glutathione (as discussed in Tip #1) and also improves the effectiveness of other compounds, such as Thiamine, in controlling acetaldehyde accumulation.
Achieving the right balance of Vitamin C is vitally important for Sunset to fight Asian flush headaches as effectively as it does - and is a key detail often overlooked by other supplement makers.
We hope you have a better understanding of the root cause of headaches from alcohol. Or perhaps, more importantly, we hope you found the alcohol headache cure you've been searching for. Severe and reoccurring headaches are a serious business, so make sure to seek medical attention if your headaches become too intense.
But, of the typical hangover symptoms a headache is among the most common - so don't fret too much if you feel this way after drinking. Whether you're suffering from a champagne headache or some other type of alcoholic drink, you know the hangover remedies that can help you now.
As always, ensure to drink responsibly and use the best techniques for you to help reduce your Asian flush headaches. And with the help of our solution, you can make flushing and headaches a thing of the past!
Want to learn more about hangover symptoms and remedies? Our article on the 2 day hangover is a great resource - as is our discussion on how to get rid of a hangover fast. You can also learn about curing hangover anxiety or using Pedialyte after drinking in our blog.
]]>So, are the claims of a potential Asian flush cancer risk actually real? Or are they just another example of one of a myriad of false claims linking things to cancer?
Unfortunately, in this case, the claims are very real. People with genetic ALDH2 deficiency (i.e. Asian flush) have been shown to have a higher chance of getting certain cancers, particularly of the esophagus. To counteract the harmful effects of alcohol flush, you can take Asian flush pills.
More on that later. First, let's take a deep look at the data supporting the Asian flush reaction cancer risk.
So, what does the science say about the alcohol flush reaction cancer risk?
In 1996, a Japanese study looked at the link between Asian flush and esophageal cancer - a type of cancer that is commonly seen in heavy alcohol consumers. They tested groups of alcoholic and non-alcoholic subjects who flush from alcohol and compared them to their respective control groups.
The results showed that the increased risk of esophageal cancer in subjects with Asian flush was “substantially higher” in both alcoholics and non-alcoholics as compared to their respective control groups.
In the words of the researchers:
"The results strongly suggest that because persons who have this mutant ALDH2*2 allele have a high concentration of blood acetaldehyde after drinking alcohol, acetaldehyde (a recognized animal carcinogen) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related esophageal cancer in humans."
Simply put, they suggested that because people with Asian flush accumulate a lot of a toxin called acetaldehyde in their system after drinking alcohol, there might be a link between this toxin and the formation of alcohol-related esophageal cancer.
To understand this further we need to take a closer look at the toxin the researchers are talking about - i.e. acetaldehyde.
Now that you know yes - Asian glow is dangerous in the long term - let's examine exactly what causes the Asian flush cancer risk.
In our blog post titled The Ultimate Guide to Asian Flush and Asian Glow, we explained how Asian flush is caused by a failure to break down one of the toxic by-products of alcohol metabolism called acetaldehyde. This results in a toxic buildup and in turn cause uncomfortable side effects such as a red face and increased cancer risks.
However, according to what these Japanese scientists are suggesting, the red face caused by acetaldehyde is merely a cosmetic problem that accompanies a more serious danger - its carcinogenicity.
In 2009 scientists from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and Japan's Kurihama Alcohol Center teamed up in a study examining the seriousness of acetaldehyde buildup in Asian flush sufferers and assessing the credibility of claims linking it to heightened esophageal cancer risk.
The results of this review eventually made their way to the National Institute of Health in the United States and eventually to the broader public via a media release dated March 23, 2009.
In this review, the NIH stated:
“…individuals with one copy of the inactive variant are about 6-10 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than are individuals with the fully active ALDH2 enzyme who drink comparable amounts of alcohol. Notably … individuals with the inactive variant who drink the equivalent of 33 or more U.S. standard drinks per week have a 89-fold increased risk of esophageal cancer compared to non-drinkers.”
Simply put, someone with Asian flush is approximately 6-10 times more likely to get esophageal cancer from drinking alcohol than someone who does not have an alcohol flush reaction. Moreover, more serious drinkers who consume 33 or more standard drinks a week are 89 times more likely to get esophageal cancer than those who don’t drink at all.
As you can see, this US government body is not just flagging a cancer risk, but rather a significantly heightened cancer risk, for all people who suffer from Asian flush. While you can read our guide about following an ALDH2 deficiency diet to help offset this risk, we're going to talk about another study supporting the Asian glow cancer risk.
In the same year, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) updated its cancer assessments of several personal habits and household exposures that cause cancer.
In this update, the IARC concluded that:
“… acetaldehyde associated with alcohol consumption is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and confirmed the classification in Group 1 of alcohol consumption and of ethanol in alcoholic beverages.”
They further went on to say that:
“Carriers of the inactive enzyme (i.e. people with Asian flush) are extremely slow to metabolise acetaldehyde, as a result, they experience higher internal levels of acetaldehyde and have much higher risks of esophageal cancer and cancers of the head and neck compared with individuals with the active enzyme”
So there we have it. Not only has a prominent US governmental health body raised a red flag but now also the largest and most respected international cancer research agency has come on board to warn Asian flush sufferers of the dangers they face as a result of their condition.
Here is a video that explains all of these points very well:
In 2009, Lisa Ye at the University of Guelph wrote a literary review titled Alcohol and the Asian Flush Reaction. In her report, she reiterates these severe warnings and calls for governments to come together to educate the population about this public health issue:
Due to severity of the public health implications, it is important to educate and raise awareness of this health risk and explore a harm reducing method in order to facilitate safe alcohol consumption for affected individuals.
This report emphasizes the importance of being conscious of the number of toxins entering our bodies when we drink alcohol and the various methods we can use to prevent alcohol flushing. Learn more in our article on how to get rid of Asian glow.
This discussion brings us to an important question: Why consume alcohol in the first place? Especially if one is subject to higher health risks as a result of their alcohol flush reaction. Does it not make sense to abstain from drinking?
The answer to this is explored in a 2005 study looking at the relationships between alcohol, aldh2, and eosophagal cancer. In this study, the researchers found:
...strong evidence that alcohol intake increases the risk of esophageal cancer and individuals whose genotype results in markedly lower intake, because they have an adverse reaction to alcohol are thus protected.
In other words, the researchers in this study are saying that, even if you have an alcohol flush reaction, you can avoid these health risks by avoiding alcohol consumption.
However, this safety comes at a social cost, given how prevalent alcohol is in our societies today. Understandably, people with alcohol flush reactions may want to continue consuming responsible amounts of alcohol in a social context.
Luckily our bodies provide us with a warning signal by exhibiting the unpleasant symptoms of Asian flush. These signs indicate when acetaldehyde exposure is too high.
Now that you're aware of the Asian glow cancer risk, what can you do about it?
According to the National Institute of Health's press release, the most effective way to prevent this heightened cancer risk is to stop consuming alcohol altogether. However, not everyone wants to stop drinking alcohol altogether. After all, you drink alcohol in most social settings - it would feel out of place to stop alcohol consumption altogether.
So, for those who want to continue enjoying the occasional drink, the research points the finger directly at acetaldehyde build-up as the carcinogenic culprit you need to avoid.
The simplest and easiest way to tackle acetaldehyde build-up is with NAC supplementation prior to and during the consumption of alcohol.
NAC stimulates the body’s natural production of a powerful antioxidant called glutathione, which has been shown in many studies to reduce blood acetaldehyde from alcohol and protect the body from its carcinogenic effects.
That's the good news…
The bad news is that NAC is relatively ineffective when taken by itself unless combined and balanced precisely with a cocktail of other complementary compounds.
This is exactly what Sunset is - a scientifically formulated synergy of 12 complimentary compounds designed to reduce your blood acetaldehyde from alcohol and alleviate the symptoms of Asian flush. So if you have Asian flush and are wondering what to do about the cancer risks discussed in this post, we suggest heading over to our main page to check out Sunset Alcohol Flush Support today.
That concludes our breakdown on the alcohol flush reaction cancer risk. We also discussed a commonly asked question about this condition in general: is Asian flush dangerous in the long term?
Yes - there is a serious Asian flush cancer risk that you should work to mitigate. With the help of our solution, you can offset this increased risk as much as possible while still drinking alcohol with friends and family from time to time. Just be sure to limit alcohol intake as much as possible.
If you have any questions or comments please contact us, we'd love to hear from you. Or, learn more about sudden alcohol intolerance, the 2 day hangover, how to get rid of the spins when drunk, or what causes a stuffy nose after drinking in our blog!
]]>If your face turns red and flushes after drinking alcohol, you're not alone. This common reaction is known as "asian flush" or "alcohol flush reaction" and affects many people of East Asian descent.
The good news is, while having asian glow can be unpleasant and embarrassing in social situations, there are ways to prevent and treat it. In this article, we'll explain exactly what causes the asian red face glow and provide actionable solutions so you can again enjoy drinking without any visible reaction.
Specifically, we'll cover the underlying genetics, how drinking leads to facial flushing and other symptoms, as well as proven remedies like specialized Asian glow pills designed to block the flush reaction. Our goal is to educate on the science behind asian flush and equip you with practical ways to stop red face drinking.
Whether you want to better understand why it happens, reduce facial redness when drinking, or stop asian glow altogether - keep reading to learn what works based on the latest research. The takeaway will be clear, actionable steps to take control and never again let asian flush get in the way of a fun night out or social occasion.
While you may hear it referred to as Asian flush or glow, the more scientific term is alcohol flush reaction.
This refers to when a person becomes red in the face, neck, and upper body after consuming alcohol. This happens because of an accumulation of acetaldehyde, a toxin that is produced when the body metabolizes alcohol.
Regular consumers of alcohol have an enzyme that breaks down these toxins into a harmless substance that is easily processed by the body.
However, some people are deficient in this important enzyme and much less able to break down these toxins. When these people drink alcohol, the toxins accumulate and end up causing the reaction known as Asian flush.
Whilst the red face after drinking alcohol is the most common sign of this condition, there are several other unpleasant symptoms that go along with it. These include shortness of breath after drinking alcohol, nasal congestion after drinking alcohol, nausea from alcohol, and more.
According to Amitava Dasgupta, PhD and professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center, the effects are often so uncomfortable that people with this condition may stop drinking altogether. You can learn more about how to remove acetaldehyde from body naturally in our complete guide. We also have a full article explaining aldh2 deficiency symptoms.
As mentioned earlier, this condition carries a myriad of symptoms other than flushing. Here are some of the most noteworthy:
The results of a 2019 survey of people with Asian Flush showed that red facial flushing is the most common symptom, with headaches coming in a clear second.
Nearly 100% of people who were surveyed reported that they experience flushing after alcohol (in addition to other, lesser symptoms).
While these symptoms sound similar to a hangover, this condition arises between 20 to 40 minutes after consuming alcohol. Those with severe alcohol flush syndrome may even experience symptoms after just a few sips of alcohol.
Sufferers also report that these symptoms can last up to a day or two, making drinking alcohol an uncomfortable and drawn-out activity.
The cause of this condition is genetic and, as the name suggests, most prevalent among those of East Asian descent. However, ALDH2 deficiency in Caucasians is more common than you may think. That's why it has also been referred to as an 'alcohol flush reaction', since it doesn't just affect Asians.
The cause of this condition is genetic and, as the name suggests, most prevalent among those of East Asian descent. It has also been referred to as an 'alcohol flush reaction'.
According to a literature review by scientists at the University of California, this condition is experienced by:
The review highlights two main genetic factors that cause Asian flush:
These factors combined explain the prevalence of Asian flush among the Asian population.
To get a bit scientific, this condition is the result of a lack of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) enzymes - responsible for helping break down ethanol in the liver.
From medications, dietary choices, and even unrelated medical conditions, there are lots of other causes of red face - so let's take a look at a few.
Red flushes can be caused by various medications, which doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s due to an allergic reaction.
Opioids, like oxycodone, as well as doxorubicin and Viagra, are reported to induce the Asian flush-like redness in a fraction of patients who medicate themselves with these drugs.
The cause for this skin reaction is uncertain, so if you experience red flushes after using some of the previously-mentioned medication, make sure to consult with your doctor to see if there is a suitable alternative.
The steroid hormone cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone”, serves us by keeping our immune system in check, regulating our blood sugar, managing our blood pressure, turning food into energy, and reducing inflammation.
When this hormone’s levels are too high, many negative consequences can occur, red flushing being one of them. This results in the condition known as the Cushing syndrome, which can also occur due to excessive use of cortisol-like drugs, also known as steroids.
Certain spicy foods can be a trigger enough for the appearance of the glow-like redness on your face and neck, especially if you don’t consume these kinds of foods that often and/or if you have fair skin.
This occurs due to increased blood flow, which causes dilation of the facial blood vessels, hence more blood flow rises to the surface of the skin, making it flush.
Emotions can be very tricky and quite often are the cause of some involuntary reactions, excessive blushing being one of them.
Anxiety is a very common trigger of turning one’s face red while speeding up the heart rate and breathing.
Anxiety attacks are not something to be taken lightly, so if this is the cause of your red flushes, talk to your doctor about some strategies which can help you overcome this frequent mood disorder.
How do you know if you're suffering from Asian glow or something else, such as sudden alcohol intolerance or an allergic reaction to liquor?
We asked a member of the SRQ Labs team, what it felt like when he experienced this condition:
“I remember the first time my face went red from alcohol. It was about 15 years ago and I was at a house party trying to get the interest of a girl.
The night was progressing pretty well. We were chatting and all signs were pointing in a positive direction. That was until she offered me a beer. A simple, innocent, cold, refreshing beer.
I downed it with manly gusto, trying to hide the fact that I’d never drunk a full bottle of beer before. Little did I know, this would start a 20-minute countdown to me becoming the focus of the room for all the wrong reasons.
It didn’t take long before I began to feel the skin on my face heating up and beginning to tingle. Not long after that, it became harder to breathe and I could feel my eyes becoming bloodshot.
I could tell something was wrong by the concerned look on the girl's face. Then I heard a voice from across the room yell out 'Look how smashed he is!'.
At this point everyone’s eyes were on me, my face was pulsating and quickly becoming the center of everyone’s attention. 'Are you on drugs?' she asked as she distanced herself from the laughing stock of the room.”
The first thing to keep in mind is that this condition doesn't necessarily does not have a cure. However, there are few things you can try at home to help minimize your reaction to drinking. These can include:
There are other choices, too, such as Asian glow patches or Pepcid for Asian glow - but we don't necessarily recommend either of these. Above all else, Sunset is the premier choice.
Still looking for the best DIY cure? Learn how to get rid of Asian glow in our complete guide!
Sunset Alcohol Flush Support is the most effective option on the market for Asian Glow relief. This supplement was specifically designed for this condition and to support the body when dealing with this condition.
To fully stop this condition though, you'll have to stop drinking alcohol completely - or at the very least choose drinks that have lower alcohol content. You can also discover the various acetaldehyde foods to avoid in our blog
That concludes our complete guide on the Asian glow meaning. Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the relationship between alcohol intake and facial flushing after reading this article. If not, explore our blog for more great resources - such as how long does flushing last or the alcohol flush reaction cancer risk.
Otherwise, the only thing let to do at this point is make this frustrating, embarrassing condition a thing of the past with Sunset pills! Get yours today and take control of your social life again.
]]>That flushed, blotchy red skin and other miserable reactions after drinking are dreadfully familiar to you. You likely ended up here searching ‘how long does red face from alcohol last,’ hoping for some answers to this frustrating condition.
We get it – alcohol intolerance, also known as Asian Flush or Asian Glow, can make what’s meant to be an enjoyable drink with friends into an ordeal of distressing symptoms flaring up when you least expect it.
The good news is, you have more control than you think.
In this article, we’ll explore what really controls that aggravating face and skin redness after drinking, simple lifestyle tweaks to reduce the duration of your reaction, and how scientifically-designed supplements like Asian glow pills can work with your body chemistry to allow you to enjoy social drinking without the aftermath of a lingering, uncomfortable alcohol flush.
So, what exactly causes Asian flush? It all comes down to alcohol metabolism and an enzyme called ALDH2. If an individual has an ineffective ALDH2 enzyme - or an ALDH2 deficiency - then they will experience Asian Flush Syndrome.
As you consume alcohol, the body breaks it down into acetaldehyde. In a body without Asian Flush, toxic acetaldehyde will be broken down further until nothing remains. In someone with Asian Flush, this whole process gets interrupted.
The body is unable to properly break down this harmful chemical, which leads to acetaldehyde accumulating in the body and causing negative symptoms. It’s acetaldehyde that causes you to turn red, get a stuffy nose after drinking, experience shortness of breath after drinking alcohol, or any of the other uncomfortable side effects.
If you want to learn more about acetaldehyde, our complete guide on how to remove acetaldehyde from the body naturally is an excellent resource. We also have an article discussing high acetaldehyde foods to avoid when you're deficient in this enzyme.
So, how long does Asian flush last? Unfortunately, the answer isn't one-size-fits-all.
The term “Asian Flush” typically includes all symptoms, but we know that some don’t last as long as others. For instance, your red face from alcohol might reduce an hour after you stop drinking, but your bloodshot eyes or headache might not stop until hours later.
As we said, everyone is different - and thus, the Asian Flush reaction manifests itself differently for everyone. It can depend on how much you’ve eaten that day, the type of alcohol you choose to drink, how much you drink, and how fast you consume it.
However, there are usually a few symptoms that should reduce first, and others that will last longer.
One key factor that dictates how long alcohol flush reaction lasts is ethnicity.
Although more testing needs to be done on Asian Flush and the enzyme deficiency that causes it, we do know that a high proportion of people of East Asian descent experience it. One study reports that one-third of East Asians (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) have Asian Flush.
However, this doesn’t mean that this condition doesn’t impact people of other ethnicities. We know that caucasian Asian flush is a thing, too - white people can suffer even if they don’t realize that it’s Asian Flush. A better name to use is “Alcohol Flush Reaction” because it’s more inclusive of those who are not Asian but still experience this condition.
It will also vary between person-to-person how much alcohol is needed to start a reaction. Usually, simply drinking alcohol will start symptoms. If the individual has a higher tolerance, they may get symptoms after a few drinks. In any case, you’ll probably know the amount of alcohol needed to start a reaction for yourself.
If your symptoms are very severe, it’s important to get medical advice before drinking alcoholic beverages again. It’s especially important to avoid binge drinking with this condition.
In summary, the question of how long does alcohol flush reaction last does not have a definitive answer. It can take anywhere from under an hour after your last drink to a day or two later. There are a wide array of factors influencing exactly how long your systems will persist after drinking alcohol. These include:
Rather than worrying about how long the symptoms of alcohol flush reaction last, let's talk about what you can control...
Now that you know how long alcohol flush reaction lasts, you probably want to learn how to get rid of Asian glow once and for all. And guess what? You don't have to choose to not drink alcohol just to eliminate the symptoms of sudden alcohol intolerance or flushing.
Currently, there is no cure for Asian Flush symptoms. At least not 100%. However, Asian Flush prevention products (like Asian glow patches, pills, and drinks) can definitely reduce your symptoms and their duration.
We also have some DIY Asian Flush Cures you can check out. They won't reduce or eliminate all of your symptoms, but they can help you to have a more enjoyable night out with friends.
The #1 solution, though, is Sunset's Asian Flush Pills. These are proven to be safe and effective at helping you avoid the symptoms of alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance. You can take a pill before you. start to drink alcohol and watch in amazement as you don't end up experiencing the symptoms of alcohol flush reaction that you're used to!
So, how long does Asian flush last? After reading this deep dive on the topic, you should have a better understanding of the timeline for your symptoms of alcohol consumption. Remember - the answer varies from person to person and can even vary from occurrence to occurrence depending on what you drink, how much you drink, what you've eaten, and a whole lot more.
Ultimately, the question "how long does alcohol flush reaction last?" should be replaced with "how can I stop the symptoms of alcohol flush once and for all?".
As you now know, there is one alcohol flush treatment that is proven to help eliminate alcohol flushing syndrome - and that is Sunset's pills. So, head over to our site to learn more about how these can help you prevent alcohol flush reaction the next time you have a few beverages!
]]>
Turning red and feeling uncomfortable after a few sips of alcohol is an all-too-familiar experience for many of us. This frustrating reaction, commonly known as "Asian glow," can put a damper on social events and leave you feeling self-conscious. In an attempt to mask these unpleasant symptoms, some have turned to taking over-the-counter drugs like Pepcid AC before drinking. However, mixing alcohol and certain medications can be risky.
This article will break down what exactly causes Asian flush, why taking Pepcid or similar drugs is not the best solution, and safer alternatives you can try instead, such as Asian glow pills. Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about managing Asian glow symptoms, so you can finally enjoy alcohol again without unwanted side effects.
First, let's look at why some Asians get flushed in the first place after drinking even small amounts of alcohol.
First - why should you be worried about Pepcid and alcohol? Is there any real cause for concern when using Pepcid for Asian glow? Yes - there is.
Using antihistamines like Zantac or Pepcid for Asian glow is dangerous. This is because it can mask important symptoms that are telling the body to stop drinking alcohol.
With fewer unpleasant symptoms, the drinker may continue drinking without any sort of acetaldehyde reduction.
This practice is dangerous because it allows ALDH2-deficient individuals to consume more alcohol and increases their risk of acetaldehyde toxicity.
Dr. Daryl Davies, Ph.D. and director of the Alcohol and Brain Research Laboratory at the University of South Carolina, confirmed this danger in a recent article. He stressed that the alcohol flush reaction is the body telling the drinker to slow down and commence hydration:
“Using histamine-2 blockers to reduce the ‘Asian flush’ can escalate alcohol intake and increase the risk of stomach cancers, esophageal cancer and a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma … the use of H2 blockers may allow someone suffering from Asian glow to drink higher levels of alcohol, but this person shouldn’t do that. It’s just not smart.”
So - where does the danger lie when using Pepcid with alcohol?
While you may see some level of relief when using these drugs, Zantac or Pepcid and alcohol are not a great combination on your liver.
Dr. Davies is alluding to a series of warnings issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for people with an alcohol flush reaction.
In a media release, publicizing research from scientists at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and Japan's Kurihama Alcohol Center, they stated that:
“…individuals with one copy of the inactive variant (i.e. Asian flush) are about 6-10 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than are individuals with the fully active ALDH2 enzyme who drink comparable amounts of alcohol. Notably, these studies showed that individuals with the inactive variant who drink the equivalent of 33 or more U.S. standard drinks per week have a 89-fold increased risk of esophageal cancer compared to non-drinkers.”
In response, the International Agency for Research on Cancer mirrored these sentiments by classifying acetaldehyde from alcohol as a group 1 carcinogen:
“The agent (mixture) is carcinogenic to humans. The exposure circumstance entails exposures that are carcinogenic to humans.”
When taking an antihistamine like Pepcid for Asian glow, drinkers may not realize that they are consuming more alcohol than usual. Doing this results in an over-exposure to toxic acetaldehyde.
Due to the absence of the typical red face, the drinker may think that they can consume more alcohol without any adverse symptoms.
If they continue to drink alcohol, acetaldehyde will continue to accumulate in their system and expose them to a Group 1 carcinogen for longer.
You know now that using Pepcid with alcohol can be detrimental to your health and bring about toxic buildup. Now, let's analyze a similar drug - Zantac. What do you need to know about using Zantac for Asian glow?
Users of Zantac for Asian glow should take note that GlaxoSmithKline is recalling their popular heartburn medicine Zantac in all markets.
This move comes only days after the FDA discovered what they described as “unacceptable” levels of a probable cancer-causing impurity in the drug.
In response to this, retailers across the United States are suspending the sale of over-the-counter heartburn drugs containing ranitidine (such as Zantac).
In an article about the recall of Zantac, Joshua Gagne, PharmD, ScD explains:
"The FDA has clarified that the testing method that found the “extremely high levels” of NDMA applied high heat, at a level much higher than normal body temperature. In other words, the testing did not reflect typical conditions under which the medication would be stored or taken."
Therefore, at the time of writing, the extent of the risk remains unclear. That said, generally speaking, combining these kinds antihistamines with alcohol is still questionable. It's better not to exposure yourself to unnecessary risks.
Now you are aware that there may be dangers associated with combining Zantac or Pepcid and alcohol. But does the risk even carry any reward?
Discussed below are clinical trials linking the action of antihistamines, such as these two OTC drugs, to one or more symptoms of alcohol flush reaction. As mentioned above, antihistamines were not created to treat Asian Glow symptoms.
A 1988 study headed by N.S Miller, author of “The Pharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse and Addiction”, examined the role of histamine in the expression of alcohol sensitivity in oriental subjects.
One-half of the test subjects in the study got 50 mg of an H1 receptor antagonist similar to Zyrtec and 300 mg of an H2 receptor antagonist identical to Pepcid AC and Zantac. The second half was the placebo group.
The most apparent difference between the antihistamine group and the placebo group was in their degree of flushing. The antihistamine group showed a reduction in skin redness.
A subsequent 2004 study aimed to look at why Japanese asthmatics experience worsening of asthma symptoms after alcohol consumption.
They found that the alcohol by-product acetaldehyde increased airway muscle tone and made it harder for subjects to breathe.
This effect was associated with an increase in the release of histamine. An H1 receptor antagonist similar to Zyrtec was able to reverse this effect.
As with all medications, antihistamines come with side effects that the user should be aware of, including when using them to combat alcohol-flushing symptoms.
When used for their designed use, a lot of the antihistamines mentioned have similar side effects. Of course, medications impact everyone differently.
Pepcid AC side effects include:
Zantac side effects, like other antihistamines, are uncommon and are usually mild. Some side effects you may experience with Zantac are things like stomach pains, constipation and nausea.
Like Pepcid, Zyrtec carries a lot of the same side effects, like fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, and dry mouth, among others.
Allegra side effects include things like:
A significant side effect to keep in mind for all of these antihistamines is fatigue or drowsiness, especially if you intend to drive.
This problem can compound when consuming alcohol and taking one of these antihistamines for use against alcohol flushing. Mixing things like Zantac and alcohol means that both the alcohol and the antihistamine can cause fatigue simultaneously.
Are there possible alternatives to Pepcid AC, Zantac, and Zyrtec for the attenuation of Asian flush symptoms? Of course, choosing not to drink alcohol is the most obvious solution. But what if you still want to drink alcohol from time to time?
The good news is yes - there is a solution that doesn't require you to stay sober for the rest of your life. It's not an Asian glow patch, either.
You can learn how to get rid of Asian glow safely and effectively. The solution is Sunset's Asian flush pills. This treatment is proven to work and can help you regain your social life and enjoy a few drinks with friends - without the stress and embarrassment that comes with flushing.
If you want to figure out how to prevent red face when drinking once and for all, just head over to our site and get your bottle ordered. The next time you're heading out to the bar or over to a friend's house, you can take your Sunset pills pre-emptively and make facial flushing a thing of the past!
Now, you should be aware that using Zantac or Pepcid for Asian glow or sudden alcohol intolerance is not a good long-term approach. In an emergency situation, sure, you may be able to find some relief from taking an antihistamine. But at the cost of your health and well-being?
It's clear that the overarching health concerns of using antacids and other antihistamines like Pepcid and alcohol outweigh the slight improvements seen in symptoms. So - using Zantac or Pepcid for alcohol-induced flushing is a bad idea. Instead, rely on Sunset pills - a tried and true solution with no negative health risks!
]]>Asian Flush can vary in symptoms and severity, but many people with it report a negative reaction to alcohol - specifically turning red in the face when they drink. Other symptoms of Asian Flush can include:
This condition is called Asian Flush because the gene mutation is prevalent in the East Asian population and is typically handed down by a family member. If you have a parent or close relative that has Asian Flush, just like Markiplier got the condition from his mom, you’re much more likely to have Asian Flush yourself.
However, it's not just those of East Asian decent who can have this condition. Many Caucasians can experience this negative reaction to alcohol, which is why you may sometimes hear it referred to as "alcohol flushing."
Unfortunately there is no cure for Asian Flush or experiencing these negative symptoms when drinking alcohol. However there are some natural supplements like Sunset Alcohol Flush Support that can help reduce symptoms when drinking.
The science behind Asian Flush can be confusing at best, but it comes down to the body lacking the proper enzyme to help break down alcohol, often referred to as an "ALDH2 deficiency."
For those with Asian Flush, alcohol turns into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde in the body, which can cause a whole host of negative and uncomfortable symptoms. Supplements like Sunset work with the body to help break down this chemical as quickly as possible, limiting the severity of Asian Flush symptoms.
Want to learn more about the science of Asian Flush? Check out: ALDH2 Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
]]>Alcohol tests vary in sensitivity but can detect alcohol in different parts of your system. Some tests, like testing for alcohol on your salvia, can only detect alcohol up to 48 hours. Comparatively, hair tests for alcohol can find traces of alcohol up to 90 days later.
It's also helpful to keep in mind that everyone metabolizes alcohol at their own rate so some people will take longer to clear it than others.
The table below shows how long current tests on the market can detect alcohol from different parts of the body.
Type of test |
How long can it detect alcohol? |
Saliva |
48 hours |
Blood |
12 hours |
Breath |
24 hours |
Urine |
Up to 5 days |
Hair |
90 days |
Want to learn more about alcohol in the body? Keep reading! We'll also explain how to reduce some of the effect of alcohol on your skin by taking Asian flush pills.
Overall, it typically takes the body one hour to break down one unit of alcohol. However, this can change depending on various factors, such as:
So if the body usually takes about one hour to break down one unit of alcohol, how much is that exactly?
This roughly translates to:
So if you have a pint of a higher-strength beer at 5.2%, it will usually take your body 2 hours to break it down. That’s assuming you don’t drink any more alcohol within those 3 hours, too.
That’s why binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning. You’re putting more alcohol in your body than it can process, until it becomes overwhelmed with alcohol.
What is binge drinking?
Binge drinking itself comes with a whole host of short term and long term side effects. Short term, people who binge drink can expect to experience nausea, severe hangovers, memory loss and vomiting. If they’re not careful, they could also experience alcohol poisoning which can be life-threatening.
In the long term, binge drinking can influence hypertension, long-term memory damage, depression, mental health issues, heart problems, brain damage, liver damage and cancer. Binge drinking can also impact various other factors in your personal life, such as increased risk of car accidents and damage to relationships.
A fairly good indicator of binge drinking is blacking out. You might have a partial blackout or a total one. This happens when you drink too much and your brain struggles to keep short-term information in your memory.
Many people have alcohol intolerance (commonly referred to as Asian Flush or Asian Glow). This genetic condition means that the body is unable to break down alcohol normally. So while you may only have one beer, or even a few sips of alcohol, you can still experience really negative symptoms similar to binge drinking.
Asian Glow and binge drinking are still two different situations, even if some of the symptoms might be similar. Binge drinking is when someone drinks way too much alcohol in a short amount of time. Asian Glow happens when the individual has an ALDH2 deficiency in their liver. Both situations cause negative symptoms from alcohol in the body, but it’s important to remember that they’re different.
Binge drinking can simply be avoided. Make sure to drink alcohol slowly, stay hydrated with non-alcoholic drinks and stay within your limit. Unfortunately, there’s no way to cure Asian Glow other than to stop drinking alcohol completely.
However, if you’re interested in reducing your Asian Glow symptoms, check out: How can I reduce Asian Glow?
Alcohol remains detected in the breath the shortest amount of time. On average, breath-tests can detect alcohol for about 24 hours. This is typically done with a breathalyzer to measure your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
Some people believe that having a coffee or energy drinks will speed up the time it takes to get the alcohol out of your breath and body. This is a myth! Alcohol consumption cannot be changed with coffee or energy drinks.
Alcohol can be detected on your saliva, usually up to 48 hours after drinking.
Urine tests can alert to alcohol quite a long time after you’ve had your last alcoholic drink. The average urine test can detect alcohol between 12 and 48 hours after drinking. More advanced tests can detect alcohol in urine up to 5 days after your last drink.
Alcohol can stay in your hair for up to 90 days. These types of hair tests are one of the most sensitive and powerful tests available for alcohol detection.
How long the alcohol stays in your blood will depend on how much you drink. The body can metabolize alcohol at a rate of 20 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) per hour. So if your alcohol level is 60 mg/dL, it would take about three hours to eliminate the alcohol from your blood.
However, this process can be interrupted by a genetic condition called Asian Flush or alcohol flush reaction. Those with this condition struggle to metabolize alcohol properly, so it takes the body much longer to break down the alcohol.
Want to learn more? Check out: Your Top Questions About Asian Flush ANSWERED
]]>The good news is there are things you can do before, during, and after drinking alcohol that can help relieve that stomach ache or even prevent it altogether.
In this article, we'll walk through simple but effective home remedies, what foods to eat/avoid, hydration tips, and other proactive steps you can take to cure or avoid stomach pain after drinking alcohol. With a bit of planning and care, you can still have an enjoyable night out without enduring uncomfortable stomach issues the next morning.
Read on to learn key strategies that can help ease your suffering!
Unfortunately, alcohol itself is what causes stomach aches, pains and overall discomfort. Alcohol typically contributes to irritating the stomach lining and creating too much acid in the stomach. These symptoms are often very hard to ignore and can put people off drinking alcohol altogether.
The only way to 100% avoid stomach aches from alcohol is to simply stop drinking alcohol. However, that’s not always helpful when you just want a few drinks with friends at the bar. So can anything be done?
If you still want to enjoy some alcohol but minimize the amount of stomach pain you experience the next day, there are a few options you can try.
The day after a night out, make sure to eat some plain food (especially plain carbs like toast or crackers). These bland foods can help settle your stomach without making it worse.
Most of us know all too well how tired you can feel the next time, both from sleeping badly but also from low blood sugar. In this instance, plain carbs can also help deal with low blood sugar from drinking and give you a bit of energy that alcohol usually depletes. However, make sure to eat slowly so as to not upset your stomach further.
Plain carb options can include foods like:
After a night out drinking, hydrating is a must. We all know that alcohol can leave us hungover and a large part of that is due to being dehydrated. Make sure to drink lots of water or you can opt for drinks that also replenish electrolytes like Gatorade or other sports drinks.
Another great option is drinking Pedialyte. While this drink is actually intended for dehydrated children, it provides even more sodium and potassium than Gatorade (with fewer calories).
You can also buy electrolyte tabs that you add to water which can greatly help with dehydration at a very low cost.
Either way, make sure to rehydrate as best you can.
Alongside hydrating with water, you might want to consider carbonated drinks like ginger ale. However, there is a catch with fizzy drinks: they can help with nausea but can also make stomach pain after drinking alcohol worse. So be careful and decide what’s best for you.
Carbonated drinks can be helpful for reducing nausea and acid reflux, but can make stomach pain and indigestion more noticeable.
It’s also helpful to remember that sugar (especially those find in juice or pop) can help settle an upset stomach while you're hungover but could make the pain worse. It can really depend on your own situation and what you find works best for you.
Antacids are an extremely common remedy for heartburn and indigestion by reducing stomach acid, plus they can reduce nausea in part by reducing the pH of the stomach. Antacids are easily accessible and fast-acting, making them a helpful choice if you're experiencing an upset stomach from alcohol.
Many of us have turned to ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin during a hangover, especially when you have a pounding alcohol-induced headache. However these medicines can actually irate your stomach further. If you find that alcohol upsets your stomach, try painkillers such as small doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead of common choices like Advil.
Ginger, peppermint, and Co-enzyme Q10 are all beneficial for reducing nausea and lower abdominal pain after drinking alcohol. They each work differently, but ginger especially has good clinical backing to show it quickly and effectively stops nausea and can even prevent it from developing in the first place (for example post-surgery).
Ginger is especially effective because of how it works on the M3 and 5-HT3 receptors in the stomach. When looking for a ginger supplement we recommend one that is standardised, organic, and third party tested — like Sunset Forte which contains a potent and patented ginger extract as well as other ingredients to support the processes through which your body metabolises alcohol's toxic byproducts, reducing nausea, flushing, and even hangover symptoms felt the following day.
When we drink alcohol, it takes real work for our body to break it down and eliminate it from our body. If this happens slowly, the built up by-products of alcohol can cause hangover symptoms the following day. These types of chemicals are toxic and it's not helpful having them in the body for any length of time.
By helping the body break down alcohol quickly, you can minimize your hangover symptoms, making it an easy choice when drinking.
If you suffer from acute gastritis or are experiencing alcoholic gastritis symptoms, avoiding foods that trigger this reaction can be extremely helpful in reducing stomach pain. Alcohol is a trigger which can cause inflammation of the stomach lining which leads to pain and/or bloating. A few pointers for avoiding this reaction include:
It's a pretty common saying that "the hair of the dog" helps with hangovers - as in, keep drinking some alcohol the next day to reduce your hangover.
Unfortunately, this is a common myth and it can prolong your hangover symptoms. Plus if you're someone who suffers from stomach aches, this can easily make it worse.
Rather than continuing drinking alcohol, make sure to check out these previous steps to reduce your hangover, especially any stomach aches caused by alcohol.
As with anything that causes pain or discomfort, make sure to visit your doctor if you experience long-lasting pain, discomfort or issues with your digestive system. If your tummy hurts after drinking and you've already ruled out excessive alcohol consumption and the diet issues we've mentioned, give your doctor a call to rule out anything too negative.
Acute gastritis is a sudden swelling or inflammation of the stomach lining. This type of reaction only affects the stomach and is most commonly caused by ingesting irritants like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), spicy food or alcohol.
Typically, the abdominal pain is temporary and sudden, whereas chronic gastritis comes on more slowly and lasts longer.
If alcoholic gastritis is something that you’ve experienced or your stomach hurts from drinking routinely, it’s helpful to avoid these trigger foods where possible.
Stomach aches are just one symptom of excessive alcohol consumption and hangovers, along with:
While these steps are designed to ease stomach pain after drinking alcohol, they can also help with general hangover symptoms as well. Currently, there is no hangover cure but taking a few simple steps can help reduce your symptoms.
]]>The causes vary from person-to-person, but common culprits include dehydration from the diuretic effects of alcohol, natural sensitivities to ingredients, or a reaction related to temporary spikes in blood pressure and dilation of blood vessels. Genetics and ethnical background also seem to play a role in determining who suffers hangover headaches and how severely.
If you dread the morning migraine almost as much as the embarrassing drunk dial, read on to uncover why it happens and - more importantly - what you can do prevent it. This article will explore the science behind the dreaded hangover headache, risk factors to be aware of, and lifestyle changes and coping strategies you can try.
There are 3 main headache types that can occur from drinking even tiny amounts of alcohol. These include migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches.
For people prone to migraines, even the smallest amount of alcohol can be enough to ruin a fun night out.
In fact, a 2008 study found that about one-third of migraine sufferers listed alcohol as an occasional migraine trigger, whilst about 10% of sufferers said it triggered their migraines frequently.
It is not fully understood why this is, but some studies point to the toxic effects of chemicals in alcoholic beverages, like congeners, as a possible culprit.
Drinks that often contain congeners include:
A more recent 2019 study also highlighted histamines as a culprit for migraines. Alcohol not only contains histamines, it can also cause your body to create them.
This is common in people with Asian flush who have trouble breaking down a toxic alcoholic metabolite called acetaldehyde. Not being able to breakdown this toxin causes the body to produce more histamines. This can trigger migraines after drinking only a small amount of alcohol.
In addition to the above two points, alcohol can also cause dehydration. According to an article from the American Migraine Foundation, about one-third of migraine sufferers say dehydration is a common trigger, and for some, even the slightest hint of dehydration can cause unbearable head pain.
Cluster headaches are a very severe form of headache that happens in cycles, usually followed by headache-free periods.
Even the smallest amount of alcohol can trigger a cluster headache attack for people prone to these kinds of headaches. They usually occur within about 2 hours of drinking alcohol - though some reliably report a headache 2 days after drinking.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, with muscle tension and stress as its most common cause. When triggered by alcohol and more specifically the drinks interacting with neural blood vessels, this generally feels like pressure in the head after drinking.
Despite one study linking alcohol consumption to an increase in tension headaches, researchers at the University of Greenwich recently published a contradictory study claiming that drinking 2 pints of beer could reduce pain and possibly improve some headache symptoms.
The Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) divides alcohol-related headaches into two categories based on how long it takes for the headache to happen:
Generally speaking, a cocktail headache is usually a pulsating or throbbing pain and a hangover headache is more related to fatigue and a general feeling of being run down and tired.
While some people can get a headache after drinking just a small amount of alcohol, others might require more.
Some factors that contribute to how much alcohol is needed to cause a headache include the type of alcohol being consumed, body weight, gender, and even one’s ethnicity.
The type of alcohol being consumed can determine how little is needed to cause a headache. This is because ingredients and additives used in alcohol production can trigger headaches.
For example, if you're one of the many that report "wine gives me a headache", it's a real issue with some wine manufacturers adding sugar for sweetness, tannins for taste complexity and even sulfites to prevent oxidation and preserve the wine’s color.
Sugar can deplete levels of B vitamins in the body, and tannins and sulfites can cause a histamine reaction in sensitive people. All of these factors will mean fewer drinks before a headache kicks in.
A headache after drinking tequila (especially the cheaper ones) isn't uncommon even among people without sensitivities. A pounding headache after drinking doesn't necessarily mean you are reacting to alcohol, but it's more likely additives or adulterants added to what you're drinking which is causing the delayed alcohol induced headaches.
Examples of alcohol with less headache causing additives include:
Drinking these clear spirits straight, with ice, or mixed with soda water may allow headache sensitive people to enjoy more drinks before a headache is triggered.
Generally, a larger person will require more drinks to achieve the same blood-alcohol concentration as a smaller person. Therefore, smaller people might need less alcohol to trigger an alcohol-related headache.
This is particularly the case for migraine sensitive people who have Asian flush. This is because higher blood-acetaldehyde concentrations lead to higher histamine levels in the body and a greater chance of triggering migraines.
In short, if you are a small person with Asian flush, it might require very few drinks to trigger an alcohol-related headache.
According to a study examining the difference in blood-alcohol levels in women compared to men, the enzyme responsible for breaking down alcohol is smaller in females than in males. With less of this enzyme, women may get alcohol-related headaches from smaller amounts of alcohol compared to men.
Of course, this study doesn’t take into account other factors such as genetics, body size, and even the type of alcohol being consumed. A tall Caucasian woman drinking a vodka soda may be able to outlast a short and skinny Asian man drinking red wine.
According to a 2009 study about alcohol flush reaction, approximately 30 to 50% of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese people get a red face, nausea, headaches and a rapid heart rate after drinking small amounts of alcohol.
Whilst not exclusive to Asian people, the high proportion of the Asian population affected by this reaction has led to it being called “Asian flush”.
People with alcohol flush reaction lack an enzyme required to break down a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism called acetaldehyde. Unfortunately for headache sufferers, acetaldehyde causes the body to produce histamines - a common trigger of migraines.
We talk more about Asian flush related headaches in our article titled 5 Ways to Stop Asian Flush Headaches from Alcohol.
Fortunately, there’s a lot that can be done to avoid alcohol-related headaches from ruining your night out. From complete abstinence to Asian flush pills, here are a bunch of commonly used tactics that help break down alcohol and protect against alcohol-related headaches:
Well, new scientific research has emerged showing that a simple dietary staple may be to blame for your annoying flush reaction. This same research might also shed some light on how we might be able to eliminate the symptoms of this condition altogether! Let's dig in...
One solution is to take Alcohol flush pills like Sunset.
So what is the cause of Alcohol flush? In short, Alcohol flush is a series of effects that result in an inability for some people to properly metabolize alcohol. Follow along with me because some of these words in this section are going to get awful big and medical-sounding.
Acetaldehyde. That’s our first big word. Those five syllables are responsible for Alcohol flush and we've discussed this in-depth previously on the blog.
What is acetaldehyde, exactly, and where does it come from?
Acetaldehyde is produced as the liver metabolizes alcohol. As the liver enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase breaks down the booze, acetaldehyde is released.
For most people, acetaldehyde is quickly converted into something called acetate. It’s completely harmless and non-toxic. But, for sufferers of Alcohol flush, this process occurs much more slowly, and it results in all of the unpleasant side effects of Alcohol flush.
The symptoms of Alcohol flush vary from person to person. Those who suffer from this reaction typically experience things like:
Now that we’ve covered the embarrassing-but-not-so-serious side effects of Alcohol flush, there are some more serious matters to discuss as well.
Acetaldehyde is a known carcinogen that has been linked to the development of esophageal cancer. We know that any form of cancer is exceptionally serious, but esophageal cancer is one of the most deadly of all, with five-year survival rates typically below 30%.
Why are some people unable to metabolize alcohol properly?
We can thank the ALDH2 enzyme for that. ALDH2 is the enzyme present in the level that is responsible for converting acetaldehyde into a harmless compound. People who have an alcohol flush reaction inherited from their parents, who inherited the reaction from their parents, and so on.
It seems strange, doesn’t it? We’ve all been on this earth for thousands of years, and for the most part, all of us have been drinking alcohol. But, Asians seem to be the one group that’s most affected by this phenomenon. Still, we don’t have the answer to the question “why do some people flush following alcohol consumption?”. Fortunately, it seems that science is finally getting down to the bottom of this issue, and it looks like a simple staple food item may be the root cause of Alcohol flush: rice!
Bear with me here: The first instances of flushing in the face as a result of alcohol use were reported around 10,000 years ago. At around the same time was when we first began cultivating rice. Since these timelines seem to match up, the link between rice cultivation and flushing in the face when drinking alcohol is worth investigating.
Bing Su, a geneticist at the Kunming Institute of Zoology in China and a professor at Yale University decided to study the genes of 2275 people from 38 different East-Asian populations, looking for a mutation that modifies the gene that codes for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.
The gene mutation that Su and his team were looking for causes alcohol to be metabolized at 100 times the speed that it otherwise would be. As the enzyme removes alcohol so quickly from the bloodstream, it protects people from the harmful effects of alcohol, and Su believes it confers an evolutionary advantage: a study in the Han Chinese suggests that those carrying the mutation have the lowest risk of alcoholism (American Journal of Human Genetics, vol 65 p 795).
The mutation also causes a by-product of the alcohol’s metabolization to accumulate in the body, which makes those who have the mutation flush red when they drink.
Here’s what Su and his team found in their studies:
In more scientific terms, from a scienctic journal summary on Biomedcentral.com:
The researchers hypothesize that the cause of this adverse reaction to alcohol is a genetic mutation that was designed to protect early farmers from the potentially fatal effects of alcohol use. At around the exact time that we began cultivating rice, we also realized that rice could be fermented to create an alcoholic drink.
A mutation like this is actually quite common when it comes to human evolution. As humans began incorporating starch into their diets, the enzyme amylase evolved to process it more efficiently. The same goes for the enzyme lactase, which evolved to help us process lactose as we added dairy to our diets (fun fact: more than 65% of the worlds adult population actually suffers from lactose intolerance!).
The idea that this reaction has evolved to protect humans from alcohol use is further supported by the fact that it mirrors many of the symptoms of the drug disulfiram. Disulfiram, sold under the trade name Antabuse, is a drug designed to prevent relapse in alcoholics. If someone taking disulfiram consumes alcohol, they’ll encounter many of the same side effects that they’d experience if they were suffering from flushing from alcohol. Disulfiram actually works by inhibiting acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in the bloodstream, which increases the acetaldehyde in the body by almost tenfold... sound familiar!?
So when it comes to the question of “why am I cursed with this flush reaction after consuming alcohol?” It seems that rice being integrated into our diets thousands of years ago may be to blame!
Fortunately, if you suffer from this adverse reaction to alcohol, you don’t have to stop imbibing for posterity’s sake, or for health reasons. Thanks to SRQ Labs, a solution has emerged called Sunset Alcohol Flush Support.
The ingredients in Sunset restricts facial histamine reactions (a fancy way of saying you won’t experience flushing in your face) by supporting the ALDH2 enzyme. Most importantly, since Sunset allows the ALDH2 enzyme to function as it normally would, it neutralizes the carcinogenic effects of acetaldehyde.
SRQ Labs have also produces an eBook, called Flushed, that covers dozens of cocktails that have low histamine profiles, and gives plenty of actionable advice on how to reduce flushing whenever you're drinking.
]]>This condition has a few different names but they all refer to the same situation, where you feel uncomfortable side effects after drinking alcohol. Common names include:
Alcohol flush is a negative reaction to alcohol, often felt immediately after drinking. While many of alcohol flushing symptoms mirror those you might have when you're hungover, the main difference is that these symptoms show up while drinking rather than the next day.
Having said that, hangovers for those with alcohol flush are pretty severe, too.
Alcohol flushing is caused by the body's inability to metabolise alcohol properly. Once alcohol enters the body, it's broken down into a chemical called acetaldehyde. In a normal situation, acetaldehyde is broken down further until it is eventually eliminated from the body completely.
However, for those with alcohol flush, the body has a hard time breaking down acetaldehyde. It begins to accumulate in the body while you continue to drink alcohol.
It's this harmful chemical acetaldehyde that causes flushing after drinking alcohol and the other associated symptoms.
For an in-depth look into acetaldehyde, check out our article: Expert's Guide To Breaking Down Acetaldehyde
Many people who experience these types of symptoms from alcohol believe they must be allergic to alcohol. However, a true alcohol allergy is extremely rare (although not completely impossible). While these symptoms mimic those of an allergic reaction, these are two very different conditions.
Confused about alcohol allergies? Check out our article: Am I allergic to alcohol?
Some at-home health kits have an option to test for alcohol flush, often referred to as an "ALDH2 deficiency." If you want to try a test, at-home health kits like the 23andMe will test for an ALDH2 deficiency and whether you're likely to suffer from alcohol flush. However, this can be a costly way to discover if you have alcohol flush.
For most people, simply experiencing negative symptoms from drinking alcohol, (especially facial flushing) is a good indicator that they're dealing with alcohol flushing.
Unfortunately, if you have an ALDH2 deficiency that's causing alcohol flushing, there's no treatment available to stop this condition. The only true way to stop alcohol flush is to avoid drinking alcohol.
However, not everyone is happy to cut out alcohol completely from their lives. While there is no cure for alcohol flushing, there are a few steps you can take to help minimise your symptoms.
While drinking water on a night out isn't very exciting, it really does help lessen the impact of alcohol flushing. Staying hydrated also helps minimise hangover symptoms, too. It's typically a good rule to have one glass of water for every alcoholic drink.
Many people who suffer from alcohol flush find that certain types of drinks make their symptoms much more noticeable than others. Common alcohol flush triggers are drinks like red wine, which has added ingredients that can make flushing even more prominent.
More and more people are turning towards supplements for helping with alcohol flushing, and it's obvious why. Supplements that can help metabolise alcohol quickly can greatly reduce alcohol flush symptoms. Products like Sunset Alcohol Flush (also known as the asian flush pill) work with the body to break down toxic acetaldehyde as quickly as possible. This means that the harmful chemical is in your body for less time, taking away its ability to wreck havoc and cause the negative symptoms associated with alcohol flush.
While supplements are not a cure, they can certainly help reduce alcohol flush symptoms.
Those with alcohol flush have a hard time breaking down alcohol. So when you drink quickly, the body becomes overwhelmed with toxic acetaldehyde, which causes the negative symptoms in the first place.
By drinking slowly, you can give your body a bit more time to process the alcohol already in your system, before you add to it.
A good way to help force yourself to drink slower is to pick cold drinks. For most people, sipping on an ice-cold beer takes longer to finish than a room-temperature glass of red wine. By choosing cold drinks on purpose, you'll naturally drink more slowly.
There are a few drink choices that can help reduce your alcohol flushing symptoms. Mixed drinks like mojitos are a great option as they typically have low alcohol content, are ice-cold and combined with non-alcohol mixer.
While using makeup won't solve any of your internal symptoms, it can greatly help conceal the redness associated from alcohol flushing. Products that are green-tinted, like foundation or concealer, can work wonders on minimising redness from alcohol.
]]>Have you ever been hungover and felt anxious? You're not alone. While many people know the common hangover symptoms to be a headache, nausea & vomiting, and low energy, there is another lesser-talked about symptom: anxiety.
Some people refer to hangover anxiety as the Sunday Scaries - that dreaded feeling you wake up with after a hectic night of Saturday boozing. You wonder who you talked to last night and what you said - hoping that you didn't have any embarrassing or unpleasant moments you can't remember. And, you may even feel an unfounded fear of what's to come the day ahead.
Hangover-related anxiety is common in both students worrying about finishing up a project for school on Monday and working professionals preparing for the next day of work.
There is no doubt about it - this situation sucks. But the good news is, it's not permanent. And there are solutions to have you feeling better quickly. That's why today, we're going to cover the #1 hangover anxiety cure and other treatments to calm your anxious mind.
Let's start by discussing why this reaction happens in the first place.
Unfortunately, scientists aren't quite sure why you get hangover anxiety. A concrete answer has yet to be uncovered. But studies have found a few reasons that suggest why we feel particularly anxious after drinking alcohol.
We know that drinking alcohol causes you to urinate more than normal. It's also likely that you're not drinking enough water alongside your alcoholic drinks. Both cases can lead to dehydration at some level.
ResearchTrusted Source suggests that dehydration caused by alcohol can contribute to anxiety and other changes in your mood. As such, staying hydrated before, during, and after drinking is imperative in the battle against hangover anxiety.
Do you ever experience negative symptoms quickly after drinking alcohol? These symptoms may look like a hangover (or even an alcohol allergy). However, this negative reaction to alcohol could be a result of alcohol intolerance.
Sometimes this condition is confused with an alcohol allergy as many of the symptoms overlap. Common alcohol intolerance symptoms include:
If you've ever dealt with anxiety, you may recognize some of these symptoms, too. Because some of these alcohol intolerance symptoms can overlap with the physical symptoms of anxiety, it may feel like you're anxious, too.
A great way to minimize alcohol intolerance symptoms is by utilizing supplements like Sunset Alcohol Flush Support - also known as the Asian flush pill. Sunset helps the body metabolize alcohol as quickly as possible so these negative symptoms have less of a chance to surface. By breaking down alcohol quickly, your hangover the next day will be reduced, too.
Have you ever been nervous at the bar, so you have a few drinks to loosen up? It's a pretty common occurrence, especially if you have some level of social anxiety.
“Many people use alcohol as a social lubricant,” says Cyndi Turner, LSATP, MAC, LCSW.
As you drink alcohol, you may find that your anxiety, shyness, or nervousness seems to go away. You may become more loud, confident, and outgoing than you normally would be.
However, the effects of alcohol won't last forever. As the alcohol wears away and the hangover begins, you may find that your usual anxiety has returned. In fact, alcohol can worsen anxiety in those who already suffer. And because you're suffering physical hangover symptoms already, the newly returned anxiety seems to be even worse than normal.
Before drinking alcohol, it's important to note whether any of your medications can interact with alcohol. Some anxiety and anti-inflammatory medicines can negatively interact with alcohol. They may even be less effective than usual. This means your anxiety may end up shining through when your medication would typically dull it down.
It's also important to check any of your supplements, vitamins or any other over-the-counter medications and whether they can be safely taken when you drink alcohol. If you're not sure, just make sure to check with your doctor.
Alcohol can greatly impact your sleep. Due to a chemical process in your brain, alcohol prevents you from reaching a deep sleep after a night of drinking. Even if you are able to fall asleep quickly, you won't get that high-quality sleep your body truly needs to recover.
A poor night's sleep can make people feel more depressed or anxious, especially post-drinking. Unfortunately, a bad night's sleep seems to make a lot of things feel worse.
While there is no "hangover anxiety cure", there are a few ways you can help minimize your anxiety after drinking alcohol. Here are some tips on how to calm your mind and achieve inner peace the morning after.
The physical symptoms of a hangover can often exacerbate feelings of anxiety. Your first port of call could be to manage your symptoms as best you can. After a night of heavy drinking, you can:
If you're still struggling with anxiety, try some meditation. This practice of mindfulness will do wonders for your mental health. You can either meditate silently by yourself or use a meditation app/Youtube video for guidance. Meditation helps regulate your breathing, calm your thoughts, and can greatly improve feelings of anxiety. Make it a regular part of your life - especially after drinking.
When feeling anxious, sometimes diving into your favorite hobbies can help minimize your anxiety. Whether it's listening to music, watching your favorite movie, journaling, crafting, cooking, and everything else in between. The busier you can make yourself, the less anxious you'll feel. Doing your favorite activities can help distract your mind away from your anxious thoughts.
Well, there you have it - everything you need to know about curing your alcohol anxiety symptoms. You now have a better understanding of what causes you to feel anxious - and of course, how to remedy them quickly. While there is no fix-all "cure" for these feelings, there are a number of ways you can alleviate the awful feelings and thoughts running through your head.
Remember - the only way to completely prevent or eliminate the ill effects of drinking alcohol is by curbing consumption altogether. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem - and you may need to seek professional help if you believe you suffer from alcohol use disorder. If you don't want to stop drinking altogether, consider drinking less. You'll end up less dehydrated and attain better sleep. And the best part? You'll wake up anxiety-free - ready to conquer the day ahead.
If you want a little extra help in conquering any hangover, remember to check out our alcohol intolerance remedy. Taking Sunset pills before drinking will do wonders - helping your body break down alcohol effectively. Follow our advice, and say goodbye to the Sunday Scaries for good!
]]>You're out enjoying drinks with friends or colleagues and suddenly realize you've got to be somewhere else soon - maybe a date, a big work presentation, or picking up the kids from an event. But you can still taste and smell the telltale signs of booze on your breath. Uh oh.
While nothing can instantly sober you up, the good news is there are tricks you can use right away to significantly minimize and disguise alcohol breath so you can confidently carry on with your plans. No one else needs to know what you were up to earlier!
In this article, we'll quickly walk through easy home remedies, prevention tips, and even scientific reasons why alcohol makes your breath so smelly. Forget chewing gum or mints - we'll give you superior short-term solutions.
So whether you're trying to conceal a long boozy lunch, disguise the fact you were drinking right beforehand, or just want to get rid of that nasty taste in your mouth on the go, read on. We'll arm you with simple tricks to discreetly kiss booze breath goodbye - even when you're in a hurry.
Alcohol breath, or booze breath as it's commonly called, is a form of halitosis. It's no different than bad breath from coffee, tobacco, etc.
Essentially, what happens is the alcohol you're drinking leaves behind toxins that need to be broken down by the body. After all, alcohol itself is a chemical the body doesn't want in it. So the body breaks down these toxins - and turns them into acetic acid during metabolism. This reaction leaves behind an unpleasant odor in the mouth.
Interestingly enough, however, much of the problem associated with bad breath from alcohol isn't the result of anything in the mouth. It comes from the stomach - where alcohol is being broken down. Or, it may be coming from the lungs. When you exhale or belch, these nasty odors are brought up to the mouth. That's why you attribute the unpleasant smell to "bad breath".
Now, we're going to teach you how to get rid of alcohol breath instantly in just a few moments. But, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say. So, is there anything that can be done to prevent alcohol breath in the first place?
The most obvious solution is to drink less or not at all. But, we know that you didn't come here to be told to abstain from alcohol altogether. Instead, you can try a few simple preventative measures: first of all, stay hydrated. The more water you have in your system, the easier time your body will have breaking down alcohol. And, your mouth will not dry out. A dry mouth is one that is more susceptible to bad breath.
Another prevention tactic is to avoid mixing drinks throughout the night. Combining whiskey, beer, vodka, gin, and wine is a recipe for disaster - not just in terms of a hangover, but bad breath, too. Find one drink and try to stick to it.
Even if you do your best to stay hydrated and avoid mixing drinks, you may still develop odorous breath from a night of heavy drinking. Don't worry - we're going to teach you how to get rid of alcohol breath instantly. First things first: try to avoid drinking on an empty stomach:
An easy way to help minimise booze breath is to eat, either before you start drinking alcohol or during. Food can help stimulate saliva creation in the mouth and can help prevent dehydration (which itself can make alcohol breath worse). Food absorbs alcohol while you're drinking, too, which can help reduce your hangover symptoms the following day.
A general rule is that it's unwise to drink alcohol on an empty stomach, especially when it comes to hangovers. Just make sure to have some food while you're drinking - it will reduce your hangover symptoms and minimise alcohol breath.
Want to learn more about hangovers? Make sure to check out: How to get rid of hangovers
Other option to hide booze breath is to eat something that's strong smelling. Meals with garlic or onion can help cut the smell of alcohol - it just depends which one is the lesser of two evils for you.
Generally speaking, each type of alcohol has its own particular smell. To minimise your booze breath, it's helpful to stick to one type of alcoholic drink during a drinking session. That way you're only dealing with one smell rather than the aftereffects of numerous different types of alcohol.
Drinking water doesn't do a lot against booze breath once it's present, but it does help minimise its development while also keeping you hydrated. A good rule of thumb is to drink one alcoholic drink per one glass of water. Staying hydrated while drinking alcohol also helps reduce the severity of your hangover the next day, too.
So while drinking water won't mask the smell of alcohol breath, it can certainly help slow down its development (and make you feel better the following day, too).
Want more? Learn about the Science of Getting Drunk.
This one is pretty self explanatory. Brushing your teeth is a simple and quick way to get rid of alcohol breath (as long as you have access to your toothbrush! Brushing your teeth is a great mouth freshener, even if your breath isn't all that awful.
By brushing your teeth, you can remove the bacteria hanging out in your mouth. Make sure to also scrub your tongue and the roof of your mouth for extra protection against alcohol breath. Using a strong-smelling toothpaste is also helpful, especially if it contains menthol.
Depending on how bad your alcohol breath is, you may want to brush your teeth for longer than usual.
Once you've thoroughly brushed your teeth, it's helpful to also use a decent mouthwash to get rid of any remaining bacteria in your mouth. Mouthwash was created specifically to reduce bad breath and works great against alcoholic smells. Again, choosing a mouthwash with a minty or menthol smell really helps, or a mouthwash with a fresh lemon scent is also useful.
Gargle the mouthwash for the recommended time (which is usually around 30 seconds), then spit it out and rinse your mouth. If your breath is really bad, you might want to do the whole process again.
When used in combination with brushing your teeth, your alcohol breath should be largely eliminated.
Like toothpaste and mouthwash, minty chewing gum can help with alcohol breath. However, gum doesn't do a lot for the bacteria in your mouth like brushing your teeth will, but it does help cover up the smell of alcohol. Also, make sure to pick sugar-free gum as bacteria in your mouth love to eat sugar.
Sour flavoured gum is also a good option, as this will make your mouth produce even more saliva and minimize alcohol breath faster.
If you're struggling with alcohol breath the next morning, having a cup of coffee can help. Not only is it a nice option when you're tired from a night out drinking, coffee has its own strong smell which can cover alcohol breath nicely.
However, make sure not to drink coffee while you're still drinking alcohol. Mixing a depressant (alcohol) and a stimulant (coffee) is not a wise decision. Wait until the next day for a cup of coffee (or strong black coffee if you need a good pick-me-up!).
If you find that you suffer from extra long hangovers, read: Why do I get 2 day hangovers? Explained with solutions
There's few things better than a nice hot shower after a night of drinking.
Not only can alcohol give you bath breath, but it can also seep into your pores, giving you an alcoholic smell straight from your skin. By having a shower after a night of drinking, you can help remove that alcoholic smell from your body.
Nice smelling shampoos, conditioners and body washes also help remove any unwanted smells. Plus a good hot shower can help you feel better if you're dealing with a nasty hangover.
There you have it - we've covered everything you need to know about eliminating the bad breath caused by alcoholic beverages. At this point, you should feel confident heading out for a night with your crew without worrying about people running away from the smell of your breath.
By following these simple tips and tricks, you can minimise your alcohol breath in no time. Just make sure to drink in moderation and stay hydrated! And if you want to avoid the horrible hangover the next day, or minimize the effects of alcohol flush syndrome, our alcohol flush pills are the #1 solution. They'll be your new best friend anytime you tie one on!
]]>Feeling dizzy and disoriented after a night out? If you've ever experienced the spinning sensation and nausea that comes from drinking too much alcohol, you know how unpleasant it can be. The good news is there are ways to minimize "the spins" so you can enjoy yourself without the unwanted side effects.
In this article, we'll explore the causes of feeling dizzy and sick when drunk, as well as actionable tips you can follow to get relief fast. You don't have to give up drinking entirely or be miserable every time you overindulge. With the right strategies, you can stop the room from spinning out of control and feel better in no time.
Read on to learn proven techniques to ease dizzy spells, settle your stomach, rehydrate properly, and get the party back under control so you can have fun without the unwanted hangover headaches.
Ready to learn how to stop the spins when drunk? If you want to learn how to stop spinning when drunk, you'll find four different options down below. The next time you feel that awful spinning sensation start to take hold, take a few deep breaths and relax - here's what you can do...
When you feel like the whole room is spinning, it's helpful to make yourself feel more grounded. Simply place one hand on a hard flat surface and one foot on a hard flat surface. While this process won't completely cure your spins, it will make your brain feel less off-balance.
Even when exhausted after a great (but long) night out, many people struggle to sleep when experiencing the spins and it's not surprising why. A solution for the spins when you're trying to sleep is to keep one foot flat on the ground. This can help when laying down with your eyes closed makes the dizziness worse, but you still need to sleep.
Focusing on slow, deep breathing can also help minimise the spins after drinking. Deep breaths can also help lower your heart rate and relax, especially if you're panicking that the room is spinning. Taking slow, deep breaths while practicing the first suggestion (keeping one hand and one foot on a hard, flat surface) can really help when used together.
There are a lot of supplements popping up on the market that can help metabolise alcohol. By helping your body break down alcohol as quickly as possible, you can help minimise your negative symptoms from alcohol, including getting the spins or feeling dizzy.
Supplements like Sunset Alcohol Flush Support help break down alcohol as quickly as possible, so the body doesn't become overwhelmed with alcohol while it tries to process it.
Dizziness experienced during a hangover can also be reduced with supplements like Sunset, making the day after drinking more comfortable.
Of course, the best way to avoid getting the spins is to avoid drinking too much alcohol in the first place. You don't have to abstain from alcohol altogether - a few drinks typically won't cause the spins in most people. Rather, it's the excess alcohol that results in that awful spinning sensation you feel.
But how much alcohol is too much? This is a tricky question to answer, as everyone is different. What causes one person to develop that spinning feeling will vary from the next. However, you should start paying attention as you drink and see where your limit is.
Another way to avoid the drunk dizzy feeling you hate so much? Avoid mixing alcohol types. Again - this may not apply to everyone, but some people should avoid mixing different spirits together - or even switching from beer to wine. You should take note of the personal experiences you have with certain types of drinks - and what happens when you mix - and adjust your habits accordingly.
So, make sure you drink within your limit, stay hydrated with water, and don't drink on an empty stomach. This can all help reduce your chances of getting the spins. Of course, this isn't always helpful after the fact but it's certainly something to keep in mind for next time!
When we talk about getting the spins, most people are referring to feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or experiencing vertigo. But there are a few side effects and other related symptoms of the spins to keep an eye on:
We know that drinking too much alcohol too quickly can cause the spins, but what exactly happens during this process?
Having alcohol in your system impacts how the inner ear works. There are a few important parts of the inner ear that are affected when you drink alcohol:
When you move around while sober, the fluid called endolymph moves, which distorts the shape of the cupula and moves the stereocilia. This process sends electrical signals to the brain regarding movement and balance. In everyday life, this happens automatically and without any issues.
This whole process changes when a person is drinking alcohol. Alcohol thins the blood, which creates a difference in density between the fluid in the canals and the cupula. The shape of the cupula is distorted in ways not associated with the person’s movement, orientation in space, or balance.
The hair-like cells called stereocilia tell the brain that the body is moving much more than it actually is, so the person may feel like the room is spinning or the ground is moving.
While the spins is a common sensation for someone who has drunk past their limit, or has participated in binge drinking, it can also occur for those with a fairly low blood alcohol level. This can be dangerous if the person is still under the legal limit to drive, but may be experiencing the spins making drinking even more dangerous.
Well, there you have it. We've explained how to stop the spins when drunk. And now, you can take our advice and put it into action the next time you feel that awful dizzy drunk feeling setting in. We hope this helps! But, here are some key things to remember:
Everyone is different, so each of us will respond differently to the spins, or the best ways to reduce that sensation. However, if you want more support than just touching hard surfaces to balance yourself, looking at supplements such as the Asian flush pill could be a good option.
Because Sunset is created to help the body break down alcohol quickly, it can help lower your chances of experiencing the spinning feeling when you drink alcohol. Learn more about avoiding the consequences that come with drinking alcohol in our blog. We have a great article on the dreaded 2 day hangover - and how to avoid it altogether. You'll also find resources addressing topics like how to get rid of a hangover fast, is Pedialyte good for hangovers, and cures for hangover anxiety!
]]>We've all been there before. You had a big night out with your friends, you wake up the next morning, and you are in shambles. Your head is throbbing, you are nauseous, and you just want it to go away - you might be wondering, is it worth heading to the store to grab a bottle of Pedialyte?
First off: if you haven't heard of Pedialyte, what is it? And why does this name come up when discussing hangovers?
Pedialyte is a drink that's available over-the-counter to reduce dehydration. While it's typically marketed for dehydrated children, it has recently come up in the debate about fighting hangovers. College-aged people in particular boast this magic concoction's ability to fight off hangovers better than any other remedy out there.
But is it true? Can I drink Pedialyte for a hangover? And if so, how much Pedialyte should I drink for a hangover? And, when should I drink Pedialyte for a hangover?
Don't worry - today, we're going to answer all these questions and more. Let's not beat around the bush any longer - is drinking Pedialyte for hangover remedy worth it?
To answer the question of whether or not you should consider drinking Pedialyte for a hangover, we have to talk a bit more about what a hangover is.
A big component of hangovers comes from being dehydrated by drinking alcohol. Since alcohol is a diuretic, it causes the body to remove liquids much quicker than other liquids. This can be from sweating, but more importantly, from peeing.
After a night of drinking, you might experience some dehydration symptoms which include:
Of course, dehydration doesn't only happen when you drink alcoholic beverages, but can occur in a variety of situations
So how can Pedialyte help hangovers? The ingredients are targeted for dehydration and can minimise these symptoms after alcohol. In the classic version of Pedialute, the ingredients include:
If you've ever done research in minimising hangover symptoms, it's likely you've also come across "Electrolytes." These are minerals that fight to maintain a proper balance of things in your body, like the body’s water balance, pH, and nerve function.
But did you know that according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there’s no correlation between the severity of electrolyte imbalance and the severity of a hangover?
It's obvious that Pedialyte can reduce your dehydration (even when it's caused by alcohol). However, there are other reasons for hangover symptoms that Pedialyte won't address, such as alcohol flushing, an upset stomach, rapid heart rate, or poor sleep from alcohol.
Another even bigger cause of hangovers is toxic acetaldehyde. In short, alcohol enters the body when we're drinking. The alcohol is broken down into acetaldehyde which is quite harmful to the body and causes a whole assortment of negative symptoms. Eventually the body breaks down acetaldehyde fully (although this process is interrupted if you have Asian Flush).
If acetaldehyde build-up is bad, and you suffer from Asian Flush, you might even experience a 2-day hangover.
Having acetaldehyde accumulating in your body can cause some really awful hangover symptoms the next day. Pedialyte does nothing to reduce acetaldehyde.
So what can we do instead?
As you now know, drinking Pedialyte for a hangover will help with minor dehydration in adults - but it will only do so much for an alcohol hangover. That's because it doesn't address the root cause of your hangover symptoms: toxic acetaldehyde build up.
Looking for a supplement is one option for finding a Pedialyte alternative for hangovers. Since this drink isn't created with hangovers in mind, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to hangover prevention or reduction.
A product that helps the body metabolise alcohol quickly can help greatly reduce hangover symptoms, so looking at product ingredients is the first step.
Supplements like the Asian glow pill work at fighting the internal process when drinking alcohol and breaking down alcohol quickly to avoid negative symptoms. Sunset ingredients like NAC, Quercetin, Bromelain and L-Theanine (among others) are really strong contenders for fighting hangover symptoms.
Definitely not! It's important to remember that very little research has gone into the correlation between Pedialyte and hangovers. No matter what stories you've heard from friends, Pedialyte is definitely not a hangover cure. While some people swear by Pedialyte for their hangovers, there is much better alternatives out there.
While Pedialyte may not be a hangover cure, it can certainly help to some extent. This begs the question - when should I drink Pedialyte for a hangover? And the answer may surprise you. While you can drink it the morning after to try and restore hydration, you'll see better results by drinking it the night before - either before your alcoholic drink, during the night, or before bed. This will help prevent dehydration before it even has the chance to take hold of your body.
Along with "when should I drink Pedialyte for a hangover?", another very common question we get is "how much Pedialyte to drink for hangover remedy?". The answer to this question depends on a few factors - how much alcohol you drank, how big you are, etc.
But with that said, you should aim to finish a 1-liter bottle over the course of a few hours. Take your time, as drinking it too fast will be overkill.
Well, there you have it - everything you need to know about drinking Pedialyte for hangover prevention or treatment. You know when to drink Pedialyte for hangover, how much pedialyte to drink for hangover, and the limitations this treatment approach has.
Remember - this is not a cure for your hangover. It will simply aid in rehydrating. It is best used before bed to restore hydration you've lost throughout the night and help you wake up slightly less hungover. With that said, there are better approaches to hangover prevention out there - such as supplements marketed for hangover prevention. Leave the Pedialyte for the kids!
While Pedialyte does help with dehydration, it doesn't actively fight hangovers. There are a lot other symptoms and causes like acetaldehyde that Pedialyte does not address, making it a poor choice for hangover prevention. Instead, supplements with proper ingredients to break down acetaldehyde can help reduce hangover symptoms much more effectively.
]]>Does just a glass or two of champagne leave your head pounding? If bubbly is your go-to drink for celebrating but it quickly triggers a headache that puts a damper on the fun, you can relate. Champagne may add festive sparkle to a special event, but that throbbing pain is no joke.
The good news is with a few preventative strategies, you can stop champagne headaches in their tracks and actually enjoy your celebratory bubbly from the first toast to the last. This is especially true for folks who also get reddening skin from alcohol and we'll explain how Asian flush pills can help.
In this article, we'll unpack why champagne goes straight to your head faster than other wines or cocktails. More importantly, we'll provide proven solutions grounded in science so you can raise your champagne flute with confidence, knowing that pesky headache will never arrive.
So, why does champagne give me a headache? What is it about this low-alcohol content beverage that produces such miserable hangovers?
Some people believe that sulfites, or an allergy to sulfites, is the blame. But despite what you may have suspect, this is likely not true!
"Sulfites can cause allergy and asthma symptoms, but they don't cause headaches," Frederick Freitag, board member of the National Headache Foundation and an associate director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago told the Wall Street Journal.
But really, the main culprit for champagne headaches — even when only drinking a little — is quite simple: it's the alcohol!
Alcohol is a diuretic that causes your body to urinate at a much quicker rate than when drinking other liquids. Typically, you don't think about staying hydrated when your three glasses of champagne deep. You usually keep drinking, which makes you more dehydrated, which makes the headaches even more painful and noticeable.
In addition to the alcohol content in champagne, you also need to consider the bubbles. The carbonation in champagne makes headaches more noticeable than when drinking other types of alcohol like beer or wine.
In simple terms: the bubbles in champagne contain carbon dioxide, which can increase the pressure you feel in your stomach and forces alcohol out through the lining of your stomach into the bloodstream.
Even though champagne isn't as high in alcohol as some other drinks, it can get you drunker much faster because the carbonation interacts with oxygen flow to your brain.
Hate champagne headaches? You can blame those bubbles!
"Prosecco and Champagne both contain little pockets of carbon dioxide which change how the alcohol flows through the blood stream, helping the body to adsorb the alcohol faster. Once in the bloodstream the Co2 competes with oxygen which is why you might feel a little woozy and rather drunk rather quickly leading to an exaggerated hangover in the form of a pounding head," says Marco Castelanelli, sommelier and founder of Club Vino.
Now that you know why champagne gives you such an unbearable headache, you may be wondering about other symptoms. Like other alcoholic beverages, you should be prepared to feel some negative symptoms after drinking champagne that go beyond a simple headache. Typical symptoms include:
nausea
dizziness
headaches
upset stomach
bad nights sleep
red facial flushing or "alcohol flush reaction"
While the most notorious symptom of drinking too much champagne is a headache, you'll definitely feel drowsy and sleepy as well. This grogginess is something anyone who's tried to tackle bottomless mimosas with their friends has experienced - you can practically write off the rest of the day!
Check out the below video from The Daily Hit, all about champagne headaches!
Now, that we've discussed the causes of headaches from champagne, you are probably wondering if there is anything you can do to prevent them. And the most obvious solution is to avoid drinking champagne altogether! But for many of us, that is not an option - we love mimosas, and we love celebrating holidays and birthdays with some bubbly.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can minimize your negative symptoms from champagne, and hangovers in general. Besides abstaining altogether, here are the best ways to prevent headaches from champagne.
Want to avoid champagne headaches? Drink a full glass of water for every alcoholic drink you have. Even adding just a few cups of water throughout your night can reduce hangover symptoms and the severity of champagne headaches.
A large part of hangover symptoms can be down to being dehydrated. Make sure to drink a few cups of water, or even juice or pop, to help offset dehydration from alcohol. Your head will thank you in the morning!
There's lots of articles about which foods are the best to have before drinking, during drinking, or after drinking alcohol. But really, it just comes down to having food in your stomach. By ensuring you don't drink alcohol on an empty stomach, you can help reduce your hangover symptoms, including getting headaches.
Even just having a light meal while drinking can help. Headaches from champagne doesn't have to be part of your New Years Eve celebration!
While you might want to knock back a few glasses of champagne quickly, it's best if you take your time. By sipping at your drink for longer, you can slow the pace at which alcohol enters your body.
So, why does champagne give me a headache?
To summarize today's discussion, there is a very specific reason the headaches from champagne are worse than other types of alcohol. It's the bubbles. And, it's also a very easy type of alcohol to overdrink! This combination leads to the notorious champagne headache - along with other hangover symptoms you may be familiar with.
Fortunately, though, we've prepared you with the best tips for avoiding the champagne headache altogether. And if you do find yourself developing one anyway, you can beat it with some water, ibuprofen, and rest.
If you believe your champagne headache is caused by alcohol flush syndrome, you may want to look into this more in-depth - as this is a condition that won't go away on its own. Caused by ALDH2 deficiency, you won't just develop headaches from sparkling wine, champagne, or beer - but any alcohol. And, you'll experience other symptoms such as sweating and turning red - hence, the name: asian flush reaction. Learn more by exploring our blog!
]]>But what about Spring Break? What about going out to the bar with friends? Don’t worry! Here’s how to make drinking at home fun.
Stuck at home and bored out of your mind? We've all been there — especially with global events over the past few years, it's been all too common for so many of us. With social distancing orders in full effect, many Spring Break plans have been dashed and favorite watering holes are off limits.
But just because we need to stay home doesn't mean we can't liven up these four walls. There are still plenty of fun drinking games that can get the party started, no matter how many or how few people you have on hand. In this article, we'll cover some of the best drinking games to play at home.
Whether you want to revisit old favorites or learn new skills, these games will have you laughing hard and making memories to last until your next crazy night out. So gather your favorite beverages and willing participants and let's bring the bar atmosphere right to your living room!
Spoiler Alert: One way for people to enjoy drinking more but suffer from embarrassing skin reddening or alcohol intolerance is to take Asian glow pills.
Yes, grabbing a can of Budweiser is easy (or maybe even a Corona bottle) but it gets pretty boring. Since you’re stuck at home, why not try making new drinks and cocktails? You’ve got nothing else to do, right?
If you experience alcohol flush reaction (or Asisan Glow or Asian Flush) make sure to check out our e-book “Flushed: A Drinker's Guide to Flushing.” It specifically includes recipes for drinks that cause minimal flushing. Drinking at home doesn’t need to be uncomfortable!
One of our favourite no-flush cocktails is the Mojito. It’s a perfect drink for minimal flushing, plus it’s easy to make and even easier to drink!
Ingredients for a Asian Flush-free Mojito:
How to make it:
Just because you have to drink at home doesn’t mean you have to do it alone! Organize a video-call with friends while you all drink in your own homes. It’s crazy what a little socialization can do when you’re stuck indoors.
Free programs like FaceTime, Skype or Zoom are all great options to get everyone on a video call. Or just call a friend the classic way, with your phone. Everyone could use a call from a friend in times like these - just make sure to have a drink with you!
Yes, you can even play drinking games while home alone. The internet is a wonderful thing! Pick a drinking game with your friends then call them up. Just because you’re not in the same building doesn’t mean you can’t have fun drinking together. You can even pick a game without needing any supplies!
Our favourite virtual drinking game is Never Have I Ever.
How to play: Simply take turns asking a question in the form of “Never have I ever” like, “never have I ever been arrested.” Everyone who answers Yes, must drink. Super easy to play and doesn’t require any supplies or prior set-up. Just call your friends and get your drinks ready!
Who doesn’t love playing video games with friends, especially while having a drink or two? Even though we’re all self-isolating, that doesn’t mean you can’t play together online! Whether it’s on Playstation, Xbox or your computer, grab some friends to play online games together (with a drink, of course). It’ll almost be like game-night without having anyone at your house!
To make it more interesting, you could make your own drinking game out of whatever video game you choose. For example, whoever dies first has to take a drink!
Is there anything worse than being stuck at the bar listening to terrible music? Probably. But now that we’re all drinking at home, you can finally choose the music you want to listen to.
This also means you can dance in your kitchen if you so choose to. It’s your at-home bar - you make the rules!
Why not party at home if you live with your family, partner, or roommates? Everyone could use a fun distraction from the news so plan an at-home party with whoever you’re quarantined with!
You could also play more drinking games as you’ll be with each other so it makes it a bit easier.
Our favourite at-home drinking game is Most Likely To.
How to play:
Everyone playing takes turns saying “most likely” statements, such as “most likely to get famous,” “win the lottery,” “get scammed” etc. Everyone at the same time points to whomever they think would be most likely to do/be that thing. The person with the most fingers pointed toward them takes a drink.
The great thing about this drinking game (and “Never Have I Ever”) is that you don’t have to share drinks with anyone else. A lot of the classic drinking games like Fingers requires players to touch each other's glasses or share alcohol. Although you are all quarantined together, it’s probably best to avoid drinking games like these. Pick games that minimize the amount of germs you’ll share amongst each other.
One of the best reasons to drink at home is just that: you’re home. You can pick the music, what’s playing on the TV and the dress code. Want to have a cocktail in your PJs while watching reruns of The Office? Do it. It’s your home!
Whatever you end up doing to pass the time while in self-isolation, make sure to drink responsibly.
]]>Do you wonder about Asian flush in caucasian people, and ask yourself, can white people get a red face when drinking, too? If so, you've come to the right place. This is a question we hear very often. The answer is yes, alcohol flush reaction in Caucasians is a very real thing! You can have Asian flush if you’re not Asian (especially if you look like our friend above after a few drinks). And you too can reduce the redness using Asian flush pills.
While you may assume that this condition is strictly limited to those of Asian descent - but that is not true. The reason for the term ‘Asian’ being attributed to the flushing experienced after drinking alcohol is simply because a large number of Asians suffer from the condition.
In fact, according to a 2009 study looking at the link between alcohol flushing and cancer, approximately 36% of East Asians (Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans) get a red face after drinking alcohol.
That said, despite the large proportion of Asians who suffer from the condition, the term is simply used to describe a condition whereby the alcohol drinker lacks the necessary enzymes required to break down the toxins that arise from the metabolism of alcohol. No race or nationality is immune to the risk of developing alcohol flush reactions.
And thus, we are going to talk about alcohol flush reactions in Caucasians. In this blog post, you'll learn exactly why you get a red face when drinking as Caucasian. We'll also explain what you can do to avoid the horrible symptoms that accompany this condition - so you can still enjoy a few cold ones with your friends without the stress and discomfort you may be used to.
Alcohol flush reaction is what happens when someone deficient in certain compounds, genomes, and enzymes consumes alcohol.
It leads to improper breakdown of alcohol, contributing to a ton of issues. Some of these - obviously the red face from drinking - are visible. Others, however, are not. Here are some common Asian flush symptoms:
Bright red face (red cheeks, skin feeling hot and flushed)
Red or itchy eyes
Wheezing or restricted breathing
Nausea (similar to a hangover but you feel it while drinking, rather than just the day after)
Headaches or even migraines in more severe cases
Nasal congestion or a stuffy nose
Generally feeling awful when drinking alcohol
If you still aren't convinced that Caucasian people can develop facial flushing from a broken alcohol metabolism, here is an example of Asian flush in caucasian person. This time lapse video shows of Ramon Hilberink (definitely not Asian) filming himself drinking 3 beers:
As you can see, Ramon clearly exhibits the gradual onset of symptoms similar to what you would expect from someone with the condition. So, yes. Alcohol flush reaction in caucasians is certainly possible.
If you’re of non-Asian descent and are wondering why you get a red face after drinking alcohol, there’s a decent chance you might have the genetic enzyme deficiency that people refer to as Asian flush.
A red face when drinking can happen to caucasian people, despite this term being coined for Asian people in particular. This deficiency can occur in anyone and is usually passed down from generation to generation. So if your mother or father has it then chances are you will have it too.
In recognition of this, the scientific community usually refers to the condition as ‘alcohol flush reaction’ because it is widely known that it is not just Asian people who are affected.
Ok, so you know that Asian flush syndrome in Caucasian people is entirely real. But what causes red face when drinking for caucasian people? As you'll learn once you dig into the research, the causes of red face when drinking for caucasian people are the exact same as the causes for people of Asian descent. The culprit is an inability to properly break down certain compounds in the alcohol - specifically, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. This leads to the symptoms you're no doubt familiar with - which we discussed above.
And at this time, there is no "cure" for caucasian Asian flush. At this point, the only option is to work around the condition and live with it. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to make it more manageable - and perhaps even prevent the symptoms from showing up altogether. Let's discuss.
So, is there anything you can do about a red face when drinking as a Caucasian person? Of course, the simple solution is to abstain from drinking alcohol altogether. After all, you won't develop that Caucasian Asian glow without alcohol consumption! But, deciding not to drink alcohol ever again is an unrealistic goal. It will get in the way of you living your life to the fullest and socializing. There has to be a better way, right? Fortunately, there is: Sunset Pills. Here's a little teaser of the treatment in action down below...
"Even people like myself that are not of Asian decent still have this Flushing problem!"
Here's what Dan P. from Gold Coast, Australia had to say about alcohol flushing and Sunset Alcohol Flush Support: "I came across Sunset Alcohol Flush Support while researching Asian Flush on the net. I was of the belief that I would never find a solution to the issue until I purchased this fantastic product! It has worked for me every time I have taken the tablets.
Please see the first picture below of the flush coming on after a few drinks, and the second showing the results of Sunset, it massively helps."
If you have the enzyme deficiency that causes red face when drinking in Caucasian people, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent the reaction from happening in the first place.
We’ve even put together a blog post explaining the various creams and makeup tips people can use avoid their red faces whilst drinking - if you’re keen to check it out have a read of our article titled: 4 Beauty Products to Stop Your Asian Flush.
Alternatively, if you’re happy to just jump straight to the good stuff, we’ve spent years refining and perfecting a blend of flush-fighting compounds that work together to eliminate you red face from alcohol.
We call this blend Sunset Alcohol Flush Support - a synergy of 12 complimentary compounds that help your body combat the flush causing toxins in alcohol.
If you’re interested in some of the science that went into creating Sunset, you can also check out out article titled: The Science of Alcohol Red Face and How to Cure It.
If you would like to find out more about alcohol flush reaction in caucasian people and Asian people alike, you can check out our extensive article titled “The Ultimate Guide to Asian Flush and Asian Glow”.
It will give you an in depth look at the condition and what causes it. You can also check out this video for more details about Asian Flush:
Well, we've covered just about everything you need to know about developing a red face when drinking in Caucasian people. Some key takeaways you should leave this article with are:
At this point, there is just one thing left to do - head over to the site and get the #1 treatment for alcohol flushing reaction online: Sunset Pills. It's time to stop letting your red face get in the way of you living your life to the fullest. You can still enjoy alcoholic beverages with friends and family without that worry in the back of your head about your red flush appearance. And, you won't feel the same degree of a hangover when you drink alcohol in tandem with Sunset Pills - try them yourself today and see the difference, you won't regret it!
Ever get a Rudolph's nose-level glow after a glass or two of merlot? Many people have been there. Facial flushing when drinking strikes more of us than you might guess. This alcohol flush reaction can make even a fun night out with friends uncomfortable.
Here’s the positive part—alcohol-related redness doesn’t have to dampen your social life. You can unpack why it happens and find fixes. Although the science behind your skin’s reaction sounds complex, consider this article your cheat sheet.
We’ll map out why drinking leads your blood vessels to channel that excess blood up to the surface of your skin for the world to see. You’ll also learn helpful clues your body’s fire alarm red hue may offer (including whether you have alcohol intolerance). Most importantly, arm yourself with inside intel on how to "just say no" to looking sunburnt after saying "yes" to a drink. The solutions are simpler than you might imagine. Once you’re in the know, you can comfortably enjoy social drinking without the unwanted crimson complexion again.
When your face turns red after you drink alcohol, what does your body want to tell you? Is this a sign that something is wrong? Or, is it just a frustrating cosmetic issue you'll have to learn to live with? Let's take a look.
Before we can share how to get rid of red face from alcohol with you, we need to talk about the science behind this unfortunate condition.
Intense redness and red flushes on the cheeks (and sometimes on the neck and shoulders) indicates that the body cannot efficiently process the ingested alcohol.
The physical reaction is the body's way of telling us that it is not metabolising alcohol properly, explains Amitava Dasgupta, PhD, a professor in the pathology and laboratory medicine department at The University of Kansas Medical Center.
This flush response (more commonly known as Asian flush) affects more than 50% of East Asians. However, you can also have Asian glow if you are not Asian.
Because one of the most common, and most noticeable, symptoms are a red face, many mistakenly confuse it for a skin condition or skin problem. However, a red face from alcohol is far more profound than just a skin-level issue and results from a malfunction in the metabolism of alcohol.
While often handed down through families from generation to generation, the alcohol-related facial redness can happen to those with various skin tones, nationalities and ages.
A lot of people experience a variety of other effects along with their red faces such as:
A lot of these might sound like hangover symptoms that people experience a day after drinking alcohol. However, for some, these symptoms occur immediately after drinking alcohol. In extreme cases, they can happen after just a few sips.
Check out this video from Chastity Vicencio (@chastity_v) about her experience with turning red from drinking alcohol:
Before we teach you how to get rid of red face from alcohol, we need to explain why this is happening. We know that consuming alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, but that’s not the primary reason why people get a red face when from alcohol consumption. The actual reason why your face turns red is because of its inability to metabolize certain toxins in alcohol.
When we drink alcoholic beverages, our body uses the liver to break down and metabolize the alcohol. While it’s doing that, it produces a toxin called acetaldehyde, which is further broken down into non-toxic acetic acid. The acetic acid is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
For people who go red from alcohol, the process gets paused right after the alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde. This toxin accumulates and takes a long time to get out of the body’s system. As it builds up, it causes unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms before the body can get rid of it.
The proper metabolism of alcohol gets paused because of a defect in liver enzymes. The first enzyme is responsible for turning alcohol into acetaldehyde. Furthermore, the second one converts the acetaldehyde into CO2 and water.
In the case of people who develop a red face from alcohol, both enzymes don’t function properly. The first one works too fast, while the second one does not work at all.
Therefore, the alcohol quickly turns into toxic acetaldehyde and is converted into harmless CO2 and water. Instead, acetaldehyde accumulates in the body, causing a red face and other symptoms mentioned above. Not only does this reaction cause uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms, but it also comes with a health risk of accumulating too much toxic acetaldehyde in the body.
“If you are Asian and drink alcohol frequently, you may have a higher risk of getting stomach or esophageal cancer" or peptic ulcers due to a genetic inability to efficiently process acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism,” explains Dr Tan Ek Khoon, a consultant at the Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary and Transplant Surgery at Singapore General Hospital.
Like we mentioned before, your body is sending you a clear signal that something is wrong by triggering the red facial flushing.
Now - you came here today hoping to learn how to stop red face when drinking. We promised you we had a solution for you. And now, we're going to unpack all your options to limit the alcohol flush reaction you hate so much.
First, a bit of bad news. There is no red face from alcohol cure. Unfortunately, a solution for the underlying genetic cause of these symptoms has yet to be developed. However, that doesn't mean there is no way how to stop red face when drinking! Here are some tips on alcohol flush reaction prevention.
"If flushing bothers you, and you know alcohol is a trigger, the easiest and most cost-effective solution is to avoid alcohol consumption,” explains dermatologist Alok Vij, MD in an article about alcohol and flushing.
If you are asking how to prevent alcohol flush reaction, your first step should be abstaining from drinking whenever possible. Limiting alcohol intake and consuming light-colored, chilled drinks like white wine or champagne works well. The risk of blushing will be lower because there will be less alcohol in your body that needs to be broken down.
The cold beverages are also likely to be consumed much slower, allowing the body enough time to process the alcohol. However, this technique will not get rid of the problem altogether. It may be less intense, but it’s not a solution.
Some people choose to reduce their red face from alcohol by using antihistamines usually intended to calm stomach acids. While this approach to treating alcohol flush reaction works for some, there are many reasons why this is not a good idea.
Consuming alcohol while using an antihistamine can be dangerous, as the antihistamine can increase the blood alcohol content (BAC level). This effect can cause one to get drunk faster than usual.
Even though it might reduce facial flushing, blood alcohol levels will be allowed to rise much higher than usual. Also, antihistamines do not reduce the toxins in your system. Therefore, they will continue to build up while you drink and pose various health risks.
According to the results of the largest alcohol flush reaction survey, 57% of responders tried using an antacid called Pepcid AC to minimise their symptoms. You can read more here about the risks of using Pepcid AC, Zantac and other antacids for Asian flush.
The third way in which you can stop red cheeks from alcohol is by using supplements that regulate and reverse the flushing. A good supplement, such as Asian glow pills, should tackle the problem at 3 levels:
The first level should work to aid the body’s natural defences against the metabolic toxins that cause your red face.
The second level should provide a robust defence against inflammation. This layer of protection ensures the small number of toxins that slip through don’t cause the blood vessels in your face to react and turn red.
Finally, the compounds necessary for the first two layers of defence to work need to protect against being depleted by the alcohol you consume.
This problem requires a third and final layer of protection to counteract alcohol-induced depletion of the body’s flush-fighting compounds and ensure optimal performance of the formula as a whole.
To find out more, you may like this article about the Science Behind Asian Flush Prevention. There, you'll learn more about how to stop red face when drinking, and more alcohol flush reaction prevention methods.
Well, there you have it - everything you need to know about red face from drinking alcohol. We've covered the two most common questions we see those who suffer from this affliction ask:
Why does my face get red when I drink?: this is your body telling you something isn't right with how the alcohol is breaking down. It's possible you suffer from an alcohol intolerance or Asian flush.
How to stop red face when drinking: the obvious answer is drink less or abstain entirely. But if you cannot do that, then choosing your drinks wisely and pairing with an Asian flush pill is your best bet.
At this point, you can head over to our site and pick up some Asian Flush Pills to prevent red face from drinking altogether. It's safe, effective, and sure to help you get your social life back on track without worry!
]]>Experiencing sudden alcohol intolerance can be confusing and concerning. You go out for drinks with friends, as usual, but this time feel flushed, nauseous, or have trouble breathing after just one drink. This unpleasant reaction seems to come out of nowhere. You start to worry - could it be an allergy? Or is it just an intolerance?
This article provides clarity by explaining the key differences between alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy. We dive into the common symptoms, causes, and risks of alcohol intolerance so you can understand why your body is reacting this way. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to identify if you have an intolerance or allergy and equip yourself to minimize future reactions.
Jump to: Alcohol intolerance treatments
Can you be allergic to alcohol? Yes, but intolerance and an allergy to alcohol are two very different things and it's important to understand their differences.
This distinction is essential and one that needs clarification before we talk about ways to help your intolerance to alcohol. The reason for this is that the consumption of alcohol can sometimes lead to fatal consequences for people with a real ethanol allergy, as opposed to a mere intolerance.
If you’re thinking “alcohol makes me sick all of a sudden” and are trying to figure out if you have an intolerance or allergy, we will help you answer that question. Many people confuse alcohol intolerance with an allergic reaction - but they're very different.
Here are some of the most common alcohol intolerance symptoms. However, not everyone experiences them all, or in equal severity. For example, you might deal with severe facial flushing and headaches, but none of the other unpleasant symptoms.
One of the most common symptoms of alcohol intolerance is getting red facial flushing, often referred to as the alcohol flush reaction. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as an Asian alcohol allergy. Unfortunately, this one is difficult to hide.
Red flushing can appear on the face (most commonly) but can also show up on your neck, cheeks, shoulders, chest, and arms. For those with severe flushing, they may experience it all over their body.
How an allergy is different: The main distinction between the two conditions is the severity of the symptoms: intolerance will be uncomfortable, but an allergy could be life-threatening.
Another common symptom you may experience is a stuffy nose or nasal congestion. This symptom can be similar to symptoms of Hay fever or seasonal allergies. If the nasal congestion is quite severe, it can also make headaches (another symptom) more uncomfortable.
Some people with alcohol intolerance find that certain types of alcoholic beverages make this symptom worse compared to having other drinks. Many report that red wine, in particular, can make a stuffed up nose much more likely than compared to other drinks like vodka or rum. Typically, wine and beer trigger allergic reactions in more people, and speaking to customers and clients that appear to develop an alcohol intolerance, a specific type of alcohol seems to be the instigating factor, leading many to think they have a wine, beer, or tequila allergy.
How an allergy is different: During an allergic reaction, you may feel your nose, throat, and/or mouth swell. Rather than simply getting a stuffed up nose, your nose could begin to swell up and make it much more difficult to breathe. This allergy symptom is much more intense than simply getting a stuffy nose or a runny nose.
Alcohol intolerance can make you feel dizzy or unsteady. As you can imagine, this can turn quite dangerous if the dizziness is severe. If you experience this particular symptom, it’s important to seek medical advice before drinking alcohol again.
Even though alcohol intolerance is not an alcohol allergy, it doesn’t mean that any intolerance symptoms aren’t serious. It’s crucial to keep an eye on your reactions to alcoholic drinks since everyone is different and some symptoms may be more severe than others.
How an allergy is different: An allergy can also bring about dizziness but to a more serious degree.
Another common symptom of alcohol intolerance is experiencing headaches or migraines (in more severe cases). Like mentioned earlier, experiencing nasal congestion can make this symptom even more noticeable and painful.
Headaches caused by alcohol intolerance may remind you of headaches felt during a hangover. However, these are usually brought on immediately after you drink alcohol rather than the next day. For some, headaches and other symptoms of alcohol intolerance can be brought on very quickly.
It's not hard to imagine that experiencing a pounding headache after a pint of beer can really detract from enjoying your night out with friends.
How an allergy is different: Histamine experienced during an allergic reaction can decrease blood pressure which can cause headaches in some people. However, this symptom can be seen in both alcohol intolerance and in allergies, so it may be hard to differentiate.
Many people with alcohol intolerance report feeling a rapid heartbeat or experiencing a more pronounced and increased heart rate. If you have an intolerance to alcohol but decide to drink anyway and experience this symptom, it can be very difficult to ignore.
Those with existing heart conditions will also need to be careful before you drink alcohol in case alcohol intolerance could exacerbate their pre-existing conditions.
This particular study was done with relatively healthy young adults, 35 years old on average. We can assume that if a similar study was done on older patients or those with existing heart conditions or those with alcohol intolerance, it may show even more dramatic results.
How an allergy is different: An allergic reaction can also trigger a rapid heartbeat, so it can be hard to tell these two symptoms apart from an allergy versus intolerance.
Labored or restricted breathing can be commonly brought on by alcohol intolerance. Some may even experience wheezing instead.
This condition can also make pre-existing asthma worse, so it’s important to keep an eye on your symptoms. Restricted breathing or worsening asthma can start for some with only one alcoholic beverage.
Asthma UK reports that red wine, white wine, cider, and beer are the most common alcoholic beverages to trigger asthma symptoms. Clear alcohol like vodka and gin contain less histamine and sulfites, so are less likely to cause a reaction. However, this isn’t the case for everyone.
How an allergy is different: Like mentioned with nasal congestion, an allergy can cause your nose, throat, and/or mouth to swell. This can easily disrupt your ability to breathe normally and can cause severely restricted breathing. This symptom is very important to keep an eye on, especially if you have asthma.
Unfortunately, diarrhea is also a common symptom of alcohol intolerance. While it doesn’t happen to all individuals with this condition, it’s still fairly common.
This can leave you feeling sick and dehydrated, which can also make hangovers the following day even worse. Making sure you drink enough water can help offset the dehydration.
Wine is reportedly one of the main culprits for this reaction. Wine contains tannins (which are found in the skin of grapes) which many people react negatively to, including experiencing diarrhea.
How an allergy is different: Intense stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea have all been reported during certain allergic reactions.
The onset of symptoms is usually noticed by slightly more laboured breathing after consuming alcohol. Most sufferers will first report minor breathing difficulties, traditionally accompanied by a noticeable increase in heart rate.
Approximately 20 to 30 minutes after alcohol consumption, sufferers will feel a hot or tingling sensation around the eyes, cheeks, forehead, and ears.
Following these symptoms is commonly a red flushing skin reaction lasting anywhere between 30 minutes to a few hours. The duration depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and a person's tolerance to alcohol.
More severe cases of intolerance can also involve headaches that occur approximately one to two hours after alcohol consumption and last up to several hours.
Alcohol intolerance can be caused either by a genetic trait or a damaged liver, the former being the primary reason. Let's take a look at some other common causes.
In this case, a person suffering from alcohol intolerance has problems breaking down alcohol in their body.
The cause of this is a genetic deficiency in the ALDH2 enzyme, which affects the way the liver metabolises alcohol, impeding the body's ability to process ethanol into the inert acetic acid. This deficiency results in an accumulation of a toxic metabolic byproduct called acetaldehyde. Check out our complete guide on this subject for more information!
Our bodies naturally created histamines which are chemicals also found in certain foods and alcoholic beverages like beer, champagne and wine.
When histamine is not adequately broken down, it accumulates. This build-up causes symptoms with an accent on nasal congestion and skin flushing.
Sulfites have been very useful to us since Roman times as additives for preserving foods and beverages while preventing bacterial growth. However, sulfates can be found naturally in many alcoholic drinks like wines (mainly white), beer, vermouth, sake and some others.
If you have a sensitivity or intolerance to sulfites, the reaction may increase when consuming sulfites-rich alcohol. The symptoms are similar to those caused by histamine intolerance and can easily be confused with allergy-like symptoms. Doing a test can confirm or deny the actual cause of the alcohol intolerance.
Some people may experience uncomfortable symptoms when drinking alcohol because they are intolerant to an ingredient in certain alcoholic beverages.
Grapes, wheat, hops, and gluten may be present in the alcoholic beverage, which is causing the problems, instead of the reasons mentioned above.
By knowing what ingredients cause you issues, you can avoid those alcoholic drinks and make an informed decision about what to drink.
There are no permanent treatments for intolerance to alcohol. Are you forced to avoid alcohol forever in an effort to avoid a severe allergic reaction?
Fortunately, there are various things one can do to minimize the severity of the reaction while still having alcoholic beverages every now and then. This article looks at the most common methods people use to deal with their symptoms of alcohol intolerance.
You could avoid alcohol, or at least drink less. Or, consider choosing your drinks more wisely. Certain types of alcohol trigger intolerance in certain individuals. Drinking alcohol that contains ingredients you're intolerant to is obviously a bad idea - and will result in flushing or other symptoms.
Of course, be sure you're staying hydrated when drinking too - this will help your body process alcoholic beverages more effectively.
Certain supplements can help the body metabolize alcohol quickly, such as Sunset Alcohol Flush Support. By assisting the body with breaking down alcohol effectively, the individual won’t experience as many negative symptoms. You can continue consuming alcohol without the sudden onset alcohol intolerance you've been dealing with!
Of course, no supplement is 100% effective against negative symptoms from alcohol, but at least some supplements can help you drink a bit more comfortably. Your best bet if you want to 100% prevent alcohol intolerance is to avoid alcohol.
While supplements like Sunset are designed for Asian Flush or alcohol flush reaction, their main basic function is to break down alcohol as quickly as possible.
This means that it can also be effective for those who cannot break down alcohol as effectively anymore. In both cases, the individual needs help getting rid of alcohol from their system, as the body cannot do so properly. Go check it out and see if it is the right alcohol intolerance treatment for you! Or, you could always just avoid alcohol altogether. The choice is yours.
]]>