Why Can’t I Metabolize Alcohol? Hidden Reasons Your Body Struggles

• carlos.solis
• 16 septiembre, 2025
• Sober living
• 0 Comments

When you’re planning to attend social events, consider chatting with the host beforehand about your needs. A simple, “I’d love to come, but I need to stick to non-alcoholic options for health reasons,” can set the tone. Most hosts will appreciate the heads-up and likely be more than happy to accommodate your preferences.

Alcohol Intolerance: Symptoms, Causes & Management

Alcohol intolerance happens when the body cannot efficiently break down one or more components in alcoholic drinks—most often ethanol itself or additives such as sulfites and histamine. The underlying reasons range from an inherited deficiency of the enzyme ALDH2 to acquired issues like liver disease, certain medications, or chronic nasal inflammation. Identifying the root cause is key, because reactions can signal treatable conditions or, rarely, life-threatening allergies. Sulfites are commonly used as preservatives in wines and beers, and they play a vital role in keeping these beverages fresh and flavorful while preventing spoilage.

What’s the difference between alcohol allergy and alcohol intolerance?

• While the symptoms of alcohol intolerance can be pretty distressing, they’re usually not life-threatening.
• To discover whether you have an alcohol intolerance in just one week, a food intolerance blood test can confirm it either way.
• Your body uses enzymes, mostly diamine oxidase (DAO), to break down histamine.
• It is important to seek specialist advice if your suspect some sort of alcohol intolerance, as alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy are commonly confused and misdiagnosed.

Dark beers, such as stouts and porters, generally have higher histamine levels compared to lighter options like lagers. On top of that, how intense these symptoms are can vary quite a bit from person to person. A few factors play into this, including genetics, the type of alcohol consumed, and how each individual metabolises alcohol. So, while one person might only feel a bit off after a drink, someone else could have a serious reaction, even after just a small amount.

Can you become tolerant to alcohol over time?

• If you have this variant, it causes your body to produce less active ALDH2.
• It won’t go away, but by taking some precautions, you can avoid the symptoms and enjoy a healthy, active life.
• It’s sometimes called a “pseudoallergy” since it looks similar to an allergy but has a different cause.

This prescription device has a concealed needle that injects a single dose of epinephrine when you press it against your thigh. In some cases, reactions can be triggered by an allergy to Alcohol Intolerance a grain such as corn, wheat, or rye or to another substance contained in alcoholic beverages. What we understand as a ‘hangover’ is made up of a particular set of symptoms – usually a thumping headache, nausea, intense thirst, tiredness and brain fog.

Some blood tests can show whether you have high levels of histamine, low levels of DAO, or other irregularities. At Medicover, we offer complete diagnostic services, including genetic screenings and detailed metabolic assessments, to accurately identify alcohol intolerance. COVID-19 is a new disease, and much research is still being done on its long-term effects. While there is no evidence to suggest that the after-effects of COVID are likely to cause alcohol intolerance, new evidence may emerge as research continues.

Drink Slowly and in Moderation

Drinking with alcohol intolerance causes uncomfortable symptoms, and it also puts you at greater risk for a range of potentially fatal diseases. In particular, many people with alcohol intolerance wonder how to prevent the alcohol flush reaction, because they consider it embarrassing or unattractive. Some people take Pepcid to reduce their flush reaction and manage other symptoms of alcohol intolerance, but this approach is not recommended. Alcohol intolerance means it’s difficult for your body to break down (metabolize) alcohol. This allows toxins to build up, resulting in facial flushing and other alcohol intolerance symptoms.