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Genetics: Why Europeans Handle Alcohol Better
16 Feb
Summary
- Enzyme activity significantly differs in alcohol processing.
- Europeans generally have better enzyme function for alcohol breakdown.
- Genetics, diet, and exercise impact alcohol tolerance.
Genetic predispositions and lifestyle choices significantly influence how individuals process alcohol, leading to observable differences in tolerance and health outcomes between populations. Dr. Harsh Vyas, a radiologist from Vadodara, Gujarat, pointed out that enzyme activity plays a critical role in this disparity.
Specifically, Europeans tend to possess more efficient alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes. These enzymes are crucial for breaking down alcohol and detoxifying its harmful by-products, allowing for quicker elimination from the body. This genetic advantage can contribute to better liver health.
In contrast, many Asian populations exhibit slower enzyme activity. This results in toxic metabolites lingering longer in the system, potentially stressing the liver and leading to adverse effects, even in those who consume little to no alcohol. Diet and exercise further modulate these individual responses.
