An Instagram seek for #asianglow or #asianflush will unearth movies of individuals documenting the expertise — exhibiting how small portions of alcohol may cause flushing that extends all the best way right down to their collarbones. Others take a lighter method, joking in regards to the awkwardness that comes with the rapid onset of ruddiness.

Loopy Wealthy Asians star Awkwafina even poked enjoyable at it in an Instagram selfie with John Cho, Lana Condor, Jenny Han and Constance Wu, writing, “The pink mild actually brings out our communal Asian glow. Or possibly we have been all extraordinarily drunk on the time. Both method everybody on this pic evokes me and I really like them.”

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free day by day e-newsletter to remain up-to-date on one of the best of what PEOPLE has to supply, from juicy movie star information to forcing human curiosity tales.

The ruddiness, referred to as alcohol flush response, is attributable to a genetic mutation, the ALDH2*2 variant, which is predominantly present in these of East Asian descent. And for the estimated 560 million who expertise this response, it might sign critical well being implications from ingesting alcohol, The Washington Publish experiences.

Those that expertise flushing of the pores and skin lack an enzyme wanted to completely metabolize alcohol — resulting in a possible buildup of carcinogenic byproducts and elevated dangers to develop a variety of cancers — from esophageal to gastric most cancers to breast most cancers— in addition to coronary artery illness, stroke and osteoporosis.

Alcohol is first metabolized into acetaldehyde, “a extremely poisonous substance and recognized carcinogen” the Nationwide Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains. 

Usually, acetaldehyde is additional metabolized — however these with the ALDH2*2 variant cannot do it effectively. 

“This ALDH2 deficiency results in alcohol not being metabolized usually, and acetaldehyde — basically, a poison — builds up within the blood,” The Washington Publish factors out.

“Acetaldehyde is classed as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Well being Group, which means it has been confirmed to trigger most cancers in people,” Che-Hong Chen, nation director of the Stanford Middle for Asian Well being Analysis and Schooling advised The Washington Publish. “Even with simply two cans of beer, the quantity of acetaldehyde of their blood is already reaching carcinogenic ranges.” 

And “alcohol is poisonous to cells, and when it will get into the cells of your blood vessels, it makes them dilate,” dermatologist Alok Vij defined to the Cleveland Clinic. “This reddens the pores and skin and may make you are feeling heat.”

Whereas some individuals will preventatively take an antihistamine to keep away from feeling discomfort throughout ingesting, the Nationwide Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism factors out, “hindering alcohol flushing elevates the chance of most cancers by enabling larger ranges of alcohol consumption and thus larger acetaldehyde manufacturing.”

And Chen advised The Washington Publish that the purple flush ought to be seen as a warning. 

“Consider it as your physique having a ache sensation to let you know to cease ingesting.”