Here’s why some people turn red when they drink. It’s a condition called "alcohol flush reaction." Side effects include flushed skin, nausea, headache, and rapid heart beat.
以下將解釋為何有的人喝酒後會臉紅。這種情況被稱作「酒精潮紅反應」。它的副作用有臉紅、噁心、頭痛和心跳加速。
The cause is a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body. Acetaldehyde is highly toxic and a known carcinogen. When alcohol hits the liver, it metabolizes into acetaldehyde.
它的原因是體內乙醛的積累。乙醛是劇毒的，且是眾所周知的致癌物。當酒精進入肝臟時，它會代謝成乙醛。
Usually, it’s quickly converted to a safer form, acetate. But people with alcohol flush reaction are different. Their body turns alcohol into acetaldehyde faster. But their liver takes more time to turn acetaldehyde into acetate.
通常，它會迅速轉化成一種更安全的形式：乙酸鹽。但是喝酒臉紅的人卻不一樣。他們的身體會更快地把酒精轉化成乙醛，然而他們的肝臟地卻需要更多的時間把乙醛轉變成乙酸鹽。
The results are: A less intense "buzz," harsher side effects from acetaldehyde poisoning, and long-term, a higher risk of mouth and throat cancers.
結果就是，乙醛中毒的嚴酷的副作用——一種不那麼強烈的「嗡嗡聲」，長期來看，患口腔癌和喉癌的風險較高。
Alcohol flush reaction is a genetic condition. It’s thought to originate among the Han Chinese, in central China. Over the centuries, it has spread throughout East Asia. An estimated 1/3 of East Asians have it.
「酒精潮紅反應」是一種遺傳性疾病。據信其起源於華中地區的中國漢族。幾個世紀以來，它已經傳遍了東亞。據估計有三分之一的東亞人有這種情況。
Since the condition is genetic, there is no cure. The upside? Those afflicted often avoid excessive drinking and alcoholism.
由於它是遺傳性的，所以無藥可治。那要如何處理呢?這些人要避免過量飲酒以及酒精中毒。