One big health problem connected to having blue eyes actually has to do with your drinking habits. According to a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, those with lighter-shaded irises may be more dependent on alcohol than their brown-eyed peers. As study co-author Arvis Sulovari of the University of Vermont shared in a press release, “This suggests an intriguing possibility — that eye color can be useful in the clinic for alcohol dependence diagnosis.”
Although there are no definitive theories laid out as to why this might be, one idea suggests that people with darker eyes might be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol, which could be preventing them from consuming enough to become dependent on the stuff. Apparently, the same cannot be said about their blue-eyed friends.
Alcoholism is related to many short-term risks like road accidents, injuries, behavior changes, and miscarriages. Long-term effects include alcohol use disorder (AUD), depression and anxiety, memory issues, a weak immune system, and other health concerns like cardiovascular disease, stroke, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues, and cancer of the throat and colon, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
