AUTOIMMUNE & INFLAMMATION

Why Do My Cheeks Get Red When I Drink?

by
Robin Berzin, MD
Doctor

Getting rosy cheeks when you drink alcohol is actually more common than you think, and there are a few different reasons you might go red in the face after a drink.

Alcohol raises your blood pressure, which for some, may be enough to cause a slight redness in your cheeks.

Less common is a genetic variant that affects the ALDH2 gene. If you have this mutation, you may have a deficiency in alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks alcohol down into acetaldehyde. A poor acetaldehyde metabolism can lead the capillaries in your face to dilate.

The phenomenon, called alcohol flush reaction , is actually a sign that your body is not metabolizing alcohol. Some people may also notice a rapid heart beat, headache, dizziness, or nausea. Avoiding alcohol is the only way to completely eliminate any adverse reactions.

Those who get alcohol flush reaction may be at an increased risk for some cancers if they drink frequently.

Whether you have the ALDH2 variant or not, you can prevent or minimize red cheeks by limiting your alcohol consumption, hydrating well before drinking, and eating before and while you’re drinking. Bonus: these are also great ways to prevent a hangover.

by
Robin Berzin, MD
Doctor

Dr. Robin Berzin is the Founder and CEO of Parsley Health, America's leading holistic medical practice designed to help women overcome chronic conditions. She founded Parsley to address the rising tide of chronic disease in America through personalized holistic medicine that puts food, lifestyle, and proactive diagnostic testing on the prescription pad next to medications. Since founding Parsley in 2016, Dr. Berzin has seen 80% of patients improve or resolve their chronic conditions within their first year of care, demonstrating the life-changing value of making modern holistic medicine accessible to everyone, anywhere. Parsley is available online nationwide.

Dr. Berzin attended medical school at Columbia University and trained in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Her book, Prescription for Happiness: How to Eat, Move, and Supplement for Peak Mental Health, was published by Simon Element in January 2022.

Read full bio
Parsley Health
readiness quiz

Get a snapshot of your health - right now.

Take our quiz to get your symptom score and start uncovering the why behind your symptoms.

GET SYMPTOM SCORE
Related Videos
What’s the Best Milk to Drink If You Don’t Have A Dairy Allergy?
Why Do I Sweat When I Sleep?
Is Parsley Health For Me?
Omega-3 vs Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Why Essential Fatty Acids Matter
Is Soy Healthy? Dr. Berzin Explains

Parsley Health medical providers are trained to treat the root cause of complex, chronic conditions and symptoms. Ready to start feeling better?

Get Symptom Score