Is Rice Domestication to Blame for Red-Faced Asians?

ScienceNOW Daily News ^ | January 20, 2010 | Michael Balter

[SunkenCiv]

If your face turns red after drinking just one glass of wine, blame ancient Chinese farmers. Researchers are reporting that the "Asian Flush" mutation cropped up just as rice was first being domesticated, and it may have protected early farmers from the harms of drinking too much. But some other scientists urge caution, saying that the dates may not match up.

When you drink, enzymes in the liver known as alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) convert alcohol to an organic compound called acetaldehyde; another enzyme then converts acetaldehyde to acetic acid. But about 50% of Asians and 5% of Europeans have mutations in these enzymes that can increase the rate of alcohol metabolism up to 100-fold. This leads to a rapid accumulation of acetaldehyde, which can cause capillaries in the face to dilate -- and the face to turn red. Other unpleasant symptoms can include nausea and headaches.

[LadyDoc]

the rice is sticky rice...so easy to pick up with chopsticks.

[One_Upmanship]

Sticky rice. It's sticky.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks LadyDoc.

[coconutt2000]

I am part Chinese and exhibit all of these symptoms along with a few other small eccentricities. Fortunately the symptoms usually only appear if I drink too often in a short period of time. It can be uncomfortable and the headaches can be frustratingly painful.