Do you get red in the face from drinking beer? Will you also turn red from drinking baijiu?

May 29, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
In general, if someone experiences facial flushing when drinking beer, they are likely to experience it when drinking liquor as well. Since liquor typically has a higher alcohol content than beer, it may cause flushing more easily. Overall, individuals who flush when drinking beer will likely flush with liquor too. Therefore, people who experience facial flushing after drinking should avoid alcohol or reduce their alcohol consumption to prevent adverse effects. If any other physical discomfort occurs after drinking, medical attention should be sought promptly.

Generally, if a person's face turns red after drinking beer, they are likely to experience facial flushing when drinking liquor as well. Since liquor typically has a higher alcohol concentration than beer, it is even more likely to cause redness. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Facial flushing after drinking is usually caused by insufficient levels or activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase in the body. When this occurs, the liver cannot effectively metabolize excess acetaldehyde, leading to its accumulation. This buildup causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in facial redness. Beer is a common alcoholic beverage and can be categorized into types such as lager, stout, and strong beer. It contains relatively high amounts of sugar and alcohol, though its alcohol concentration is generally low. Beer often includes flavorings, giving it a mild taste. In contrast, liquor is distilled or smoked alcohol made primarily from glutinous rice. It has a significantly higher alcohol content and usually contains no additional flavorings, resulting in a stronger taste. Given that liquor has a higher alcohol concentration than beer, individuals who flush after drinking beer will typically also experience flushing when consuming liquor.

In summary, if someone experiences facial redness after drinking beer, they are likely to have a similar reaction with liquor. Therefore, people who flush when drinking should avoid alcohol or reduce their intake to prevent adverse effects. If any other physical discomfort occurs after drinking, prompt medical attention is essential.