Red Wine Headache Mystery

Do you get a headache after drinking even a small amount red wine but not when drinking white? While it is known a small percentage of wine drinkers get a headache from drinking red wine, the cause is unknown. Sulfites, histamines, tannins, or even the alcohol in wine might trigger this unpleasant side effect. Find out how you might prevent wine headaches and what is to blame.

Sulfites

Are sulfites the blame for this phenomenon? Sulfites are a naturally occurring compound that nature uses to prevent the microbial growth found on grapes and other dried fruits. However, you do not hear that people suffer from dried fruit headaches. Scientist have pointed out that because of their higher sugar content, many sweet white wines contain more sulfites than red wines yet do not cause headaches. In fact, sulfites can cause an allergic reaction but will only give headaches to asthmatics. At this point in time, no study has proved that sulfites are the culprit.

Alcohol

Alcohol has a powerful dilation effect on the blood vessels of the skin and your extremities. This means that it causes the vessels to open, allowing increased blood flow. The alcohol stimulates blood flow to the skin and extremities making you feel warm inside. However, it also makes you lose body heat more quickly. Therefore, the alcohol in wine can cause the blood vessels in your nose and sinus area to swell causing a feeling of pressure. Depending on how sensitive you are to this effect, you might experience a headache.

Histamines

Many people may be sensitive to histamines. These are naturally produced chemicals, and are in wines. Histamines are more concentrated in red wines than whites, so you might try switching to whites to see if this brings relief.

Tannins

Some experts say that the tannins in the red wine are at the root of the headaches. Tannins are the flavonoids in wine and are also present in chocolate and tea because of their coloring effect. Again though, no direct connection in causing headaches.

Is there Relief?

Some people report that taking Sudafed before drinking red wine helps to prevent the headaches, and does not cause drowsiness. Another possibility is taking an aspirin. Personally I am fond of enteric coated aspirins because they do not bother my stomach. However, I am not a physician and this should not be construed as medical advice.

Yet for most people who suffer from red wine headaches, the theories are irrelevant. They want to know what to do about the problem. And don't confuse red wine headaches with the headache that comes after a full evening of drinking. That's called a hangover. The fact of the matter is no one knows what causes red wine headaches. The solution is to try to find a wine that doesn't cause you a headache and stick to it. If the wine is going to affect you, it will probably do so in about 15 minutes.

Contributor: Jim Stein (Syracuse, NY)

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