Eye colour indicates risk of alcohol dependency

Source: The Spirits Busines

by Annie Hayes

3rd July, 2015

People with light-coloured eyes – notably blue, green or grey – may be more at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol, according to a new study.

The study, called Eye color: A potential indicator of alcohol dependence risk in European Americans, was released by the University of Vermont, and revealed that people with blue, green or grey eyes may genetically have a higher chance of suffering from alcohol addiction.

Researchers found that out of 1,263 European-Americans, alcohol dependence was more common among those with light eyes than those with dark eyes, and overall was most common amongst people with blue eyes.

Despite controlling the variables that could influence the result, such as age, sex, and genetic ancestry, the study found a “statistically significant” interaction – where one gene influences the effect that another gene has – between genes for eye colour and genes associated with alcohol dependency.

PhD student Arvis Sulovari, said the research “suggests an intriguing possibility – that eye color can be useful in the clinic for alcohol dependence diagnosis,” in a release.

Last year, scientists claimed genes may determine alcohol preferences after linking alcohol-related sensations and bitter taste receptors to genetic variations.