Allergic to Booze?

Rachel writes to ask: Is it true that there is a race that has something making them allergic to alcohol?

Strictly speaking, the answer is no. What you are most likely thinking about is called ‘Oriental Flushing syndrome”. Some people, most of whom are oriental, have a genetic disorder that causes them to be unable to break down alcohol in the body. Symptoms include flushing of the face, along with possibly even more unpleasant symptoms. It is not an allergy, but there is no cure and they are unable to drink alcohol in any amount.

Others who experience what seem to be allergic reactions to alcohol are far more likely to be experiencing a food allergy related to other ingredients in the booze, such as the wheat, grapes, yeast or hops. Alcohol can cause these reactions to be even stronger than they might normally be.

You can find more details on this at these sites:

Mayo Clinic website

Allergy Capitol

Food Reactions

Thanks for asking

Summer