





According to a study, Mexican Americans are more likely to become heavy drinkers and have alcohol-related health problems because of a particular haplotype (cluster of genetic stuff), labeled “H6.” Wait, give us a second to adjust this Moonshine IV we’ve got hooked up. You’re sure they don’t drink more because people keep insisting “Mexican” and “Caucasian” are mutually exclusive categories?:
“The prevalence rate of heavy drinking among male Mexican Americans is three times higher than that of non-Hispanic male populations,” said Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan, professor of pharmacology and director of the Liver Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center. “Mexican Americans have also been found to have more alcohol-related problems — such as withdrawal, tolerance, and accidents — than Caucasians. Furthermore, Hispanics are more likely than Caucasians to continue their alcohol dependence once it begins.”
Or maybe Caucasians just happen to share a “quitter” haplotype. H8ers.
Mexican Americans Carrying Haplotype H6 Of The CYP2E1 Gene Have A Greater Risk Of Alcoholism [Science Daily]

What about the Irish?
Posted by Diego | November 27, 2007
Mas puuuuutos.
All I know is most of the gueros I know can’t hold their liquor for shit.
Posted by Dan | November 27, 2007
“The prevalence rate of heavy drinking among male Mexican Americans is three times higher than that of non-Hispanic male populations,”
Um, what about the rest of the ‘Hispanics?’ Why are we (the Mexicans) being singled out?
Posted by MissLatin | November 27, 2007
@MissLatin: jealous?
it’s that land bridge from asia that brings us all together. so, when people ask me where my ancestors come from i’ll say that most of me is southern european but my liver’s all aztlan, baby.
Posted by el smrtmnky | November 27, 2007
I thought that Mexicans were Caucasians?
<~ head ‘splode
Posted by Janie A Go-Go | November 27, 2007
I don’t know where you got that picture of me. I guess that’s what I get for going to too many After the After Parties.
Posted by Latin_Princess | November 27, 2007
Did this survey take into account what “Mexicans” or Latinos consider heavy drinking or social drinking? In my chicano/a latino health class we learned that these studies dont usually take that into consideration. or the fact that most white people drink everyday and latinos drink on the weekends only.
Posted by chana la chile | November 27, 2007
It don’t matter no how. Whether it’s latins or anglos drinking too much…hey, it’s too much. Point is the more we know about why folks OVER drink, the better. If there are differences between races and/or ethnicities, it may help to identify causes and, therefore, treatment. I’m good for dat. Love ya’all
Posted by Manolo | November 27, 2007
Actually, there was another study that showed that a population of indigenous Mexicans from Hidalgo state had some genetic predisposition to develop alcohol-related problems. Can’t remember the details. But it supports this particular report. I think Native Americans may have a similar predisposition.
Posted by Guana Bust A Nut | November 27, 2007
Yeah, what about the Scottish and the Irish? They drink us under the table!
Secondly, aren’t Mexicans officially considered “Caucasians”?
Third, the article says only FIVE percent of Mexicans are part of the H6 Haplotype but that info doesn’t make good inflammatory headlines I guess.
Posted by chimatli | November 27, 2007
The women in my family don’t drink.My sister and I on the other hand became total drunks thanks to college! They become quite disturbed at family functions when we do and my mom suggested AA last Christmas… Funny thing is that in their view prescription antidepressants done in private are A-ok!
Posted by pocachica | November 28, 2007
Under the Aztecs, a second offense for public intox got you the death penalty. First offense got you work release picking up garbage around Tenochtitlan. Grandmothers, however, were allowed to get at snockered as they liked (they probably needed to stay looped to put up with bratty Aztecitos!).
But anybody with indigenous American genes is probably more susceptible to problems processing sugars — including complex sugars like alcohol. Mexicans (and Mexican-Americans) also have higher rates of diabetes than persons with no indigenous ancestry.
So? Mexican-Americans (asuming “Mexican-American” and “with indigenous American genes” are the same thing) drink more than other “Hispanics” (whatever they are)… try finding a decent Peruvian beer in your local supermarket, or affordable Cuban rum!
Posted by Richard Grabman | November 28, 2007
That study only checked 699 Mexicans living in a 50 mile radius of L.A. So, it’s either being Mexican American or living within 50 miles of L.A. that makes you want to drink heavily.
Posted by Ninguna Persona | November 28, 2007
I lived in L.A. It makes you puke heavily…no need to drink at all.
Posted by Manolo | November 28, 2007