Scientists: Tolerance To Alcohol Depends On The Time Of Year

Researchers have suggested why people get drunk faster in the summer.

Alcohol tolerance, drug efficacy and carbohydrate metabolism in humans may vary with the seasons. Such conclusions were reached by researchers from Nagoya University in Japan. The scientists examined 54,000 genes in 80 tissues in rhesus macaques.

The scientists found seasonal fluctuations in the activity of the enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, which are responsible for metabolizing nearly a quarter of all popular drugs. This means that the effectiveness of treatments for conditions such as cancer, diabetes, depression or high blood pressure may depend on the season. Scientists think it's worth considering the time of year when prescribing drugs - it could improve the approach to individualized treatment.

Experiments showed that mice raised in winter conditions recovered more quickly from intoxication. The researchers hypothesized that the body becomes more sensitive to alcohol in the summer. They also attributed this to an increase in hospitalizations from alcohol intoxication during the summer.

In addition, the study found sex differences in seasonal changes in metabolism: genes responsible for carbohydrate digestion were activated in females during the winter-spring period. This may explain the tendency to increase body weight in the cold season.

The authors believe that their findings suggest the need to take into account biological rhythms in the treatment and prevention of diseases.

In April, scientists from the University of Exeter videotaped wild chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau eating and sharing fruits containing ethanol. Surveillance cameras in Cantagnes National Park filmed the primates eating fermented breadfruit with alcohol levels as high as 0.61%. This may indicate regular ethanol consumption, as the fruit makes up a significant part of their diet.

Researchers believe this behavior may be an early form of food sharing, a counterpart to the "feasting" common in humans. Food sharing is rare in chimpanzees, and so observing such episodes may shed light on the possible evolutionary roots of the rituals of sharing alcohol and strengthening social bonds.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]