Alcohol intolerance: causes and consequences.

Alcohol is one of the most purchased foods in the world. Alcohol use has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, many people drink alcohol without suspecting that they have alcohol intolerance. Sometimes people perceive it as a hangover because the symptoms of these conditions are similar.


Alcohol intolerance is an inflammatory reaction of the body to the ingredients of alcoholic beverages, which manifests itself as:

  • swelling of the airways,
  • redness of the skin of the face,
  • puffiness,
  • vomiting,
  • increased heart rate,
  • lowering blood pressure,
  • headache.

Typically, symptoms of alcohol intolerance appear 20-30 minutes after drinking alcohol. The duration of the onset of symptoms depends on the state of health of the person, but as a rule, it is about a few hours.
At the same time, doctors assure that alcohol intolerance is not an allergy. Although some symptoms may indicate this.

In addition, alcohol intolerance can appear for two reasons:

  • a genetic feature in which the body is unable to process ethanol and its metabolites,
  • a consequence of taking medications, past illnesses, or injuries.

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