Are you allergic to alcohol? Research says you could be four times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke
There are many who often find it hard to enjoy the weekly round of cocktails on a Friday or Saturday night after a busy day at work. This group of people might experience abdominal or nausea other forms of discomfort upon intake of alcohol. But not only does this mean that alcohol is not suited for you, it also means that your risk of heart attack and stroke might be way higher – although these results are contradictory to what most people have known about alcohol use and its effects on heart health.
One might feel that being allergic to alcohol would be a rare occurrence – but in truth, 1 in 12 adults carry the gene that deprives the body of its ability to digest alcohol. This gene prevents blood vessels from dilating properly. This gene can stop ALDHA from working properly – additionally, it fuels inflammation which if it becomes chronic, can result in diabetes, cancer and other deadly diseases.
Drinking consistently in any case contributes to a heightened risk of hypertension, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. But is it important to be well aware of the symptoms of alcohol intolerance:
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Rapid heart rate
An alcohol allergy can also cause the above symptoms, but there could be more:
Anaphylaxis
Breathing difficulties
Worsening asthma
Facial flushing
Low blood pressure
Feeling faint
Hives
Red itchy bumps on the skin
An efficient ALDH2, on the other hand, can destroy toxic chemicals form alcohol and mop out the free radicals that damage DNA. Experts discovered that in people with the standard gene, the ability of blood vessels to dilate increases after alcohol intake.
One might wonder how alcohol intolerance can make one look flushed – turns out, it is caused by the release of histamines in the immune system. This group of people are also less likely to be able to generate nitric oxide which helps relax blood vessels.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
