People of East Asian descent are more likely to have the inherited genetic mutation that causes alcohol intolerance, so they develop the condition at higher rates. Anyone can have the enzyme problem that causes alcohol intolerance.
In North America, Native Americans have the highest probability of developing an alcohol use disorder compared to Europeans and Asians. Different alcohol tolerance also exists within Asian groups, such as between Chinese and Koreans.
This DNA sequence, or at least in relation to alcohol use, can mean that Asians generally avoid alcohol consumption more than other races.
Luxembourg, where residents pound down 15.5 liters of alcohol in a year, on average, ranks first.
“Australia tops the world in both the number of times people report getting drunk and in seeking emergency medical treatment for alcohol,” explains Caterina Giorgi, CEO of The Foundation For Alcohol Research & Education, on a rather sobering note.
The top 10 countries that consume the least alcohol across the WHO European Region are Tajikistan (0.9 litres), Azerbaijan (1.0), Turkey (1.8), Uzbekistan (2.6), Turkmenistan (3.1), Israel (4.4), Armenia (4.7), Kazakhstan (5.0), Albania (6.8), and North Macedonia (6.4).
Native Americans have the highest prevalence (12.1 percent) of heavy drinking (i.e., five or more drinks on the same occasion for 5 or more of the past 30 days; followed by Whites (8.3 percent) and Hispanics (6.1 percent).
Aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency is common among Chinese, Korean and Japanese people. Some inherit two copies of the defective gene for this enzyme; one from each parent. Their liver makes a faulty version of the enzyme.
There is perhaps no religion that loves alcohol as much as the Japanese Shinto religion, which reveres sake as the most sacred of drinks—the “liquor of the gods.” The god of sake is also the god of rice and the harvest, so drinking sake is associated with a bountiful and blessed harvest.
Looking at the amount of alcohol consumed per person aged 15 years or older, the Seychelles is in first place with around 20.5 litres of alcohol drunk per person per year, according to Our World in Data; studies show that young male peer groups primarily drink high amounts of alcohol in the Seychelles.
The Irish tend to better metabolize alcohol because of their genes, but their genes could also plague them with a disease that makes them not be able to drink without experiencing harmful consequences.
"Swedes are in fact the biggest BiB-drinkers in the world". But historically Sweden hasn't been a big producer of wine. Has that changed? "There was actually quite a lot of wine produced from fruits –and berries in the 19th to early 20th century.
Known Specific Risk Factors
Having a biological family member with alcoholism or drug addiction. Having a mental health condition such as bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety. Experiencing peer pressure to drink, especially as a young adult. Having low self-esteem or self-worth.
Gin — the saving grace for alcohol intolerance
However, for those who are intolerant, the good news is that there is a solution — gin! Low in histamine and free from sulphites — the chemicals that cause intolerance and allergies — gin is the best choice out of all alcoholic beverages.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentage of U.S. adults aged 18 and older who say they drink alcohol averaged 63% over the past two years, whereas 36% described themselves as “total abstainers.” The drinking rate ticks up to 65% when narrowed to adults of legal drinking age, which is 21 and older nationwide.
Korean Americans have the highest rate of heavy drinking (3.5%) and Chinese Americans have the lowest (1.2%).
This is due to a deficiency within an enzyme called ALDH2, which breaks down alcohol in the liver. Variations in the genes of certain enzymes cause the afflicted to metabolize alcohol less effectively. The flush affects East Asians, and about 30% to 50% of Chinese, Japanese and Koreans react to drinking by getting red.
Abstract. An aldehyde-dehydrogenase (ALDH2) deficiency is a biological curb on excess alcohol-drinking. This enzyme deficiency is very common amongst Oriental people while it is relatively rare for most other populations.
Andre the Giant. No one in recorded history could drink as much as Andre. The pro wrestler – who stood 7'5″ and weighed over 500 pounds – routinely shocked friends and spectators with his insane tolerance for alcohol.
NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows: For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
Laws that apply anywhere in Australia
Legal drinking age – you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol or to drink alcohol in a licensed venue. Selling alcohol – it's illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 or to someone who is already drunk.
The teetotaler (0 drinks/week) and the excessive drinker (8+ drinks/week) were projected to live to 92 and 93 years old, respectively. The same person having one drink per week was projected to live to 94, and the moderate drinker (2-7 drinks/week) was projected to live 95 years.
Australia was above the OECD average for litres per capita of alcohol available for consumption by people aged 15 and over, at 9.5 compared with 8.4 litres per capita in 2021 (OECD 2022).
Australians have been named the heaviest drinkers in the world in a survey after spending more time drunk in 2020 than any other nation. The international survey found Australians drank to the point of drunkenness an average of 27 times a year, almost double the global average of 15.