Radiologist reveals why Europeans who drink alcohol have a healthier liver than Indian teetotallers

According to the radiologist, Europeans are able to tolerate alcohol better than Indians. (Picture: Pexels)

• Europeans' alcohol tolerance linked to genetics, diet, and exercise
• Enzymes, diet, and exercise are crucial for health.
• Even small amounts of alcohol are toxic despite better tolerance

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Alcohol is known to be bad for your body, especially the liver. Regular consumption even in small amounts can cause long-term health problems. But if you wonder how Europeans are able to tolerate alcohol better, a Gujarat doctor explained the different factors that come into play.

Dr Harsh Vyas, a preventive and diagnostic radiologist, took to his Instagram account and cited examples of two patients: one a 37-year-old Italian and another an Indian teetotaller of the same age. He delved deeper into the reason why the Italian’s liver, despite drinking two to three times a week, was healthier than the Indian man’s, who was diagnosed with fatty liver.

Why are Europeans able to tolerate alcohol better than Indians?

Dr Vyas explained the three factors responsible for it. These include:

Genetics

“Among Europeans, alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme activity is excellent. This is not the case with the Asian population. It means that the intermediate toxic metabolites of alcohol get thoroughly washed out in European populations. But in our body, these toxic metabolites stay for a long time and wash out gradually,” Dr Vyas noted.

Also read: From 4XL to XL size, man reveals how he shed 95 kilos with keto diet and regular walking

Diet

According to the radiologist, Europeans have healthier diets than most Indians. He added, “Their diet mainly comprises complex carbohydrates, healthy fats in the form of fish, seafood, and olive oil. They also enjoy high protein foods. Indian diets rely mainly on refined carbohydrates. We don’t even consume enough healthy fats and our intake of protein is also less.”

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A post shared by Dr Harsh Vyas MBBS , DNB (Radio Diagnosis) (@runningradiologist)

Exercise

Dr Vyas shared that the Italian man told him he exercises 30-40 minutes every day. However, that’s not the case with Indians, who do not workout regularly. Apart from exercise, the Italian also walks 5-6 km every day, which is something not many Indians do.

Dr Vyas explained how these three factors make Europeans more tolerant of alcohol than most Indians. While he clarified that even small amounts of alcohol are toxic, but the lifestyle of Europeans is so good that it is able to compensate.

Also read: 38-year-old physician reverses fatty liver, high bp, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, drops 56 kilos in 18 months

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.