Scottish content creator Denjeey just managed to weaponize his genetics for a self-deprecating gag that has been taking over Instagram. In a recent post, shared across TikTok and Instagram, he utilizes the Asian flush in a way that is both hilarious and surprisingly informative. The clip starts with him making a declaration about his intentions. He tells his audience, “I’ve always wanted to become a vegetable, so today I’m gonna cosplay as one, specifically a tomato, and here’s how I’m gonna do it. First, I have a tomato hat, right? That’s not all. And then I have a tequila. You know what you’re thinking? Where am I going with this? Let me cook.” He pulls on the hat and then grabs the Tequila, “Then I take a sip of this, so specifically a shot or two. If you’re Asian, you know where I’m going with this, so I’ll be back in 10 minutes.” After a short break, he returns to the camera, and the transformation is undeniable. He is extremely flushed, almost as red as his hat. With a smirk and some disbelief in his voice, he challenges his viewers. “I’ve now reached my final form. Now, find me an Asian that becomes more red after drinking alcohol than me. I’ll wait, because apparently I’ve been dealt with the best genetics on planet Earth. Look at me, I’m f–king red as f–k.” The comment section loved his gag One of the first things that floored everyone was his Scottish accent and reasonably strong brogue. However, once you get past the comments about him being an Asian creator with this accent, that is when things really get funny. This would be because people quickly flooded in to share their own experiences, or they popped by to make witty jokes about his transformation. On TikTok, a user drew similarities to their experience, commenting, “What if I told you that I’m as Scandinavian as they come, and I do the flush as well. Yes it’s a f–king problem.” Meanwhile, another user guessed what was happening, kept it brief and relatable by saying, “oh the good old Asian glow lol.” View this post on Instagram The Instagram audience was just as active, with a user adding to the chorus of people who experience this without the help of a tomato hat, stating, “Not asian. Swedish red head. I don’t even need alcohol. It’s enough to entertain the idea of sun light.” Another agreed, telling the creator, “My dad doesn’t even need the hat,” while a third admitted that they had guessed the gag, noting, “as soon as you said tomato I knew where you were going.” Then there was the contingent of people who insisted on telling the creator that a Tomato isn’t a vegetable, but a fruit. Although a user had some fun with it to offer some classic wisdom: “You know what the difference between knowledge and wisdom is? Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.” While the video is meant for laughs, the reaction he is showcasing is a very real biological process. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this condition is often referred to as the Asian flush or Asian glow because roughly 35% to 45% of East Asians have a genetic intolerance to alcohol that leads to this physical response. @denjeey TIKTOK IM DRINKING WATER BTW #tomato #cosplay ♬ original sound – denjeey When you drink alcohol, your liver works to convert ethanol into acetaldehyde. This substance is toxic, and your body relies on an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase 2, or ALDH2, to break it down into nontoxic acetic acid. If you have an ALDH2 deficiency, acetaldehyde can build up to toxic levels much faster than it would for someone without the deficiency. As the Cleveland Clinic explains, “Alcohol is toxic to cells, and when it gets into the cells of your blood vessels, it makes them dilate. This reddens your skin and can make you feel warm.” It is fascinating to see how something so many people experience can be turned into a lighthearted bit of performance art. It is important to remember that for those with an ALDH2 deficiency, this is not just about looking like a tomato. It can also come with symptoms like nausea or vomiting. While some people look into treatments like laser therapy or topical medicines to manage the flushing, experts generally suggest that the most effective way to avoid the reaction is to limit or avoid alcohol consumption altogether. While Dejeey is having a spot of fun with his alcohol, so are other influencers. Some, like a Miami content creator, gave some dubious advice, claiming you can get free liquor by asking for samples. Others, like the ever-delightful 96-year-old Lillian Droniak, revealed that she got a warning from her retirement home for partying but refused to stop.