Headaches and Wine

Is This a Common Pairing? Headaches and Wine

How much controversy is there over the cause and effects of headaches and wine? The numerous articles written on this subject cover the gamut from sulfites, to allergies, to no concrete conclusions as to the reasons for the headache and red wine syndrome.

Red Wine Headache or RWH

Red Wine Headache is also known as RWH. There are several reasons why some of us get headaches, but there is no definite reason or any conclusive evidence to suggest that headaches and wine are related to a specific element.

Yes, the headaches and wine syndrome is real, and those suffering from the RWH phenomenon are searching for a cause and relief.

"Ah Ha!" you say, "I knew it! But why?"

Many Components

Alcohol, tannins or histamines are natural components in wine and any one of these can cause headaches. And then there's the sulfites which is at the core of the controversy of the red wine headache phenomenon.

Sulfites and Reactions

A natural component in grape skins is sulfites. Sulfites are also produced through the fermentation process when making the red wine. There are some wine-makers who add additional sulfites to their wines as well.

You may not realize that there are many sweet white wines that have more sulfites than red wines due to the higher sugar content. Yet most headache and wine complaints are said to stem from red wine not white wine.

There are many foods we eat everyday which contain sulfites. If your diet is the average American diet, and regularly eat these foods, there is a good chance that you are not allergic to sulfites. I'm sure you wouldn't be walking around with a headache everyday.

The FDA has determined that a small percentage of the population is sensitive to sulfites. Those who do experience allergic reactions do not experience headaches. The typical reaction to sulfite sensitivity is breathing problems, and those who are asthmatic may experience a headache.

Your "wine headache syndrome" may not be from the sulfites.

Reaction to Histamines

For some, headaches are a reaction when exposed to histamines. These reactions can be from histamines in the foods we eat and drink. Grape skins also produce histamines which would explain why some people have a sensitivity to red wine. Fermented and aged foods such as cheeses, sauerkraut, and salami contain histamines which can cause headaches.

Tannins

The tannins are what give the wine its distinctive, mouth puckering, and somewhat bitter flavor. These same tannins may produce headaches in some. Lab experiments have shown that tannins provoke blood platelets into releasing serotonin. Studies show that higher levels of serotonin have been shown to cause headaches.

This may be the RWH culprit for some.

Alcohol

Finally, for some the alcohol in red wine can cause headaches. Alcohol, in any drink, is known to be a cause of migraines in some people.

But please don't confuse your red wine headache with the hangover headache you get some six or eight hours after an evening of mixing drinks and partying.

Help for Your Red Wine Headaches

• It may be a little difficult for you if you like red wine but you do not want to drink wine with sulfites. However, you can read the wine labels and look for the "sulfites added" note from the wine-maker. Avoid this particular wine.


• If you have a histamine allergy you can take an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Claritin.


• The Tannins in red wine is a major component since some red wines have stronger tannins than others. If you would like to try a wine with less tannins, Beaujolais is a good choice. Older or mature wines are also a better choice as the tannins mellow over time and may not affect you as much.


• In your tasting journal you can make notes of the wines you've tasted and any reactions you may get from the wines. Try different brands of wine, different grapes, and/or wines from different countries. This can be a great help to you when choosing the right wine for dinner or for gifts.


• Alcohol can be the cause of many a headache. You can try taking aspirin or ibuprofen before drinking, though there is very little evidence that this is effective. Moderation can help.

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