Research has discovered a connection between having blue eyes and how your body handles alcohol. To understand this connection, it’s important first to learn how eye color is determined and then explore why individuals with blue eyes might face an elevated risk of alcoholism. (1)
If you’ve ever wondered whether the color of your eyes influences how well you can handle alcohol, you’re not alone. Scientists have researched this topic and investigated the potential link between blue eyes and alcohol use disorder. (2)
The Fascinating World of Eye Color
Our eyes’ colors are the product of various pigments and how light interacts with them. While brown eyes dominate the population, shades like blue, green, and hazel enrich this palette. Notably, your eye color often follows a hereditary pattern guided by intricate genetic mechanisms. (3)
Yet, what adds an extra layer of intrigue is recent research suggesting a potential correlation between eye color and how one’s body metabolizes alcohol. Eye color isn’t solely an aesthetic trait; it also unveils unexpected insights into the body’s workings. (4)
How Common Are Blue Eyes?
About 8-10% of people worldwide have blue eyes, making it the second most predominant eye color.
The following is the prevalence of eye color worldwide:
- 79% of people have brown eyes or dark eyes
- 8-10% of people have blue eyes
- 5% of people have hazel eyes
- 2% of people have green eyes
- Rare percentage of people have red or violet eyes (5)
Eyes come in different shades and colors, ranging from light blue and gray to green and hazel to dark brown and black.
Some people have eyes with different colors, spots, and specks mixed in with their primary eye color. For instance, hazel eyes are a combination of brown and green.
Does Eye Color Actually Change Over Time?
Babies are typically born with eyes of any color, as their bodies still produce the pigment melanin, which determines eye color. It’s not uncommon for a child’s eyes to evolve in color during the early years of life. For instance, a baby’s blue eyes may transition to brown throughout one to several years post-birth.
However, there are rare instances when eye color changes can occur during adolescence and even in adulthood.
People with light-colored eyes, such as blue or green, may be more likely to notice variations in their eye color. This can be influenced by the clothing colors and the surroundings that reflect in their eyes, creating the illusion of a color shift.
Recent studies show that aging can also impact eye color. Dark rings that often encircle the outer edge of the iris may diminish over time. While these natural changes in eye color are common, certain medical conditions can also trigger alterations. (6)
Conditions like cataracts, characterized by the clouding of the eye’s lens, or glaucoma, which affects the optic nerve, can induce eye color changes. It’s important to note that such changes can signal underlying health issues, necessitating professional evaluation and care.
Blue Eyes and Alcohol Abuse
Yes, there appears to be a link between people with blue eyes and alcoholism or alcohol addiction. Several scientists have explored the drinking habits of people based on eye color.
The results of their studies suggest that people with blue eyes have a higher risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD).In 2001, researchers published a study to provide evidence that eye color predicts alcohol use or abuse.
Using two archived samples, they explored the records of 10,860 Caucasian American males in prison and 1,862 Caucasian American women who responded to a survey.
- 42% of light-eyed inmates had alcohol abuse problems
- 38% of dark-eyed inmates had alcohol abuse problems (1)
Both samples showed that individuals with a light eye color consumed significantly more alcohol than those with dark eyes.
It was suggested that people with darker eyes might be more sensitive to feeling the effects of alcohol, which might prevent them from drinking enough to develop an addiction to alcohol.
These results could be related to previous studies that found dark-eyed individuals are more sensitive to medications than light-eyed people.
Also, people with light eyes may drink more alcohol to reduce anxiety, as previous studies show that light-eyed people tend to be more inhibited but prone to anxiety. (7)
Blue Eyes and Alcohol Consumption
In 2001, researchers published an open study to provide evidence that eye color predicts alcohol use or abuse.
Using two archived samples, they explored the records of 10,860 Caucasian American males in prison and 1,862 Caucasian American women who responded to a survey. (8)
- 42% of light-eyed inmates had alcohol abuse problems
- 38% of dark-eyed inmates had alcohol abuse problems
Both samples showed that individuals with light-colored eyes consumed significantly more alcohol than those with dark eyes.
It was suggested that people with darker eyes might be more sensitive to feeling the effects of alcohol, which might prevent them from drinking enough to develop an addiction to alcohol.
These results could be related to previous studies that found dark-eyed individuals are more sensitive to medications than light-eyed people.
Also, people with light eyes may drink more alcohol to reduce anxiety, as previous studies show that light-eyed people tend to be more inhibited but prone to anxiety.
Blue Eyes and Alcohol Dependence
A new study conducted in 2015 on 1,200 European Americans found a direct link between alcoholism and blue eyes. (9)
Those with lighter eyes, especially blue, were more likely to have an alcohol dependence diagnosis than individuals with brown eyes.
In the United States, alcohol use disorder affected nearly 15 million people 12 and older in 2019 — more than 5% of Americans. (10)
While you can become addicted to alcohol no matter what color your eyes are if you have blue eyes, you may have a higher tolerance for alcohol consumption and an increased risk of alcoholism.
Light Eyes And Tolerance
Recent studies, particularly those conducted by the University of Vermont, have shed light on an intriguing possibility: individuals with light-colored eyes, especially blue-eyed people, may exhibit different alcohol tolerance levels compared to their dark-eyed counterparts. This research, a significant contribution to neuropsychiatric genetics, suggests that a single gene associated with eye color could influence alcohol tolerance.
The American Journal of Medical Genetics has published findings by researchers like Arvis Sulovari from the University of Vermont, indicating a potential link between eye color and alcohol tolerance. This new research opens a pathway for understanding how genetic factors, such as those determining eye color, can influence other physiological responses. (11)
European Ancestry and Its Role in Alcohol Tolerance
The correlation between light eyes and alcohol tolerance becomes particularly relevant when considering populations with a higher prevalence of light-eyed individuals, such as those of European ancestry. Studies from institutions like Georgia State University have begun exploring this connection, suggesting that genetic factors prevalent in European populations might contribute to varying alcohol tolerance levels.
Dark-Eyed People And Tolerance
In contrast, individuals with darker eyes, including many from Asian backgrounds, might exhibit different alcohol tolerance levels. This difference could be attributed to variations in chromosomes that are linked to both eye color and alcohol tolerance. The University of Vermont’s research in neuropsychiatric genetics provides a foundation for exploring these chromosomal factors further.
Significance of Genetic Diversity in Alcohol Tolerance
The study of dark-eyed populations, particularly those of Asian descent, offers a unique perspective on the genetic diversity underlying alcohol tolerance. This aspect of research is crucial for understanding how genetic factors, including those related to eye color, can influence individual responses to alcohol. It also highlights the importance of considering diverse populations in genetic research. (1)
Seeking Help for Alcohol-Related Issues: Beyond Eye Color
Anybody who drinks alcohol and other substances with addictive properties puts themselves at risk of developing dependency. Regarding eye color, individuals with lighter eyes have a higher tolerance for alcohol intake than dark-eyed individuals.
If you have light baby blues or dark blue eyes, you can have a greater risk of alcohol use disorder.
Zinnia Health has facilities available to meet the needs of individuals suffering from substance abuse, including alcoholism. We offer a wide range of treatment programs, from comprehensive inpatient services to group therapy, so contact us today to learn more.
Citations
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139948/
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/blue-eyes-and-alcoholism/
- https://www.hudsonalpha.org/the-genetics-of-eye-color/
- https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/eyecolor/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eye-color-percentage
- https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/what-is-arcus-senilis
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886910001364
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4788463/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajmg.b.32316
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
- https://www.uvm.edu/news/story/possible-link-between-eye-color-and-alcoholism-risk-revealed-new-study
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