# The Alcohol Flush Response

## TL;DR

A common genetic variant causes a flushing reaction to alcohol and increases cancer risk for frequent alcohol or tobacco users.

## Contribution

Explains the genetic basis and health risks of the alcohol flush response, particularly for East Asian populations.

## Key findings

- The ALDH2*2 genetic variant causes facial flushing and increased heart rate after alcohol consumption.
- ALDH2*2 carriers have higher cancer risk when using alcohol or tobacco frequently.
- The variant is most common in East Asian populations and affects around 540 million people globally.

## Abstract

Nearly 540 million people world-wide have facial flushing and an increased heart rate after consuming alcohol. Known as the alcohol flushing response, this reaction to alcohol is a result of a genetic variant in an enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), known as ALDH2*2. Mainly carried by those of East Asian descent, the genetic variant is likely the most common genetic variant carried in the world. Carrying this ALDH2*2 genetic variant has important health implications with respect cancer risk which is increased when carriers of the ALDH2*2 genetic variant frequently use of alcohol or tobacco products. This comic explains the alcohol flush response and the health risks associated with alcohol and tobacco use for those who carry an ALDH2*2 variant.