I read somewhere that eastern Asian populations lack a certain protein which helps metabolise alcohol, which was attributed to the fact that glass was not industrially developed and therefore distillation of alcohol wasn’t widespread and the genome never had to adapt to alcohol. Probably more to it than that and it’s outside my usual reading, but is there any truth to that? If so then not every culture invented moonshine.
I think you’re on the right track. A few things to note, the ancient Chinese produced various forms of alcohol and used it medicinally, ceremonially, and recreationally. Though I’m uncertain if there may have been factors at play that may have limited distribution and consumption to neighboring cultures.
I vaguely recall that in the case of Thailand, consumption was pretty low up until around the 1700s when they saw an influx of Chinese migrants. The prevalence of Buddhism was a big contributor to this as alcohol consumption is generally frowned upon.
I read somewhere that eastern Asian populations lack a certain protein which helps metabolise alcohol, which was attributed to the fact that glass was not industrially developed and therefore distillation of alcohol wasn’t widespread and the genome never had to adapt to alcohol. Probably more to it than that and it’s outside my usual reading, but is there any truth to that? If so then not every culture invented moonshine.
I think you’re on the right track. A few things to note, the ancient Chinese produced various forms of alcohol and used it medicinally, ceremonially, and recreationally. Though I’m uncertain if there may have been factors at play that may have limited distribution and consumption to neighboring cultures.
I vaguely recall that in the case of Thailand, consumption was pretty low up until around the 1700s when they saw an influx of Chinese migrants. The prevalence of Buddhism was a big contributor to this as alcohol consumption is generally frowned upon.
Interesting stuff! Thanks!