What is the red wine culprit that causes a headache or migraine, or as it is sometimes referred to as a “red wine headache” (RWH), after one glass or more of this delicious drink? Is it the red wine in its entirety, the sulfites in the wine, or maybe even the tannin?
RWH is said to be a misunderstood phenomenon, try telling any patient, but there are so many theories about its causes, but very few facts to support them. One thing for sure is that it is a compound within red wine.
What are the possible causes of red wine headaches?
Compounds within the skins of the grapes are likely causes, these can be of natural origin or be a product of the fermentation itself. However, the blame for RWH almost always goes back to the sulfites that are added to the wine during the wine-making process. But there are other possible causes:
- Tannins could well be responsible for some of the headaches. It is these flavonoids in wine that make the mouth pucker up and the ones that could be to blame. Tannins have been shown to release serotonin, a neurotransmitter, and high levels of serotonin can cause headaches for people who also suffer from migraines. But why don’t we hear about headaches brought on by tea, soy or chocolate, all of which contain tannins?
- What about histamines? The level of histamine in red wine is up to two times higher than in white wine. Therefore, anyone with a histamine allergy can be deficient in a particular enzyme. The combination of alcohol and that deficiency could (although not proven) be yet another cause of headaches.
- A third idea is that prostaglandins may be the main cause of RWH. They are substances that contribute to pain.
- A fourth cause, and often the fault of most drinkers, is sulfites. Sufferers who are sensitive to sulfites may not have a headache at all, but they may experience an allergic reaction. Asthma symptoms are known to increase in a small number of asthmatics, while some patients may experience difficulties when ingesting foods or beverages that contain sulfites. Inhaling sulfite fumes can also be extremely irritating.
Why is it necessary to add sulfites to wine?
Sulfites are added for a variety of reasons, including:
- Control of bacterial growth before, during and after wine fermentation.
- Delays oxidation or browning of juice / wine. This ensures that a good, clean sample will not be affected at all.
NBMany sweet wines require more sulfites than red wines. The tannin in the red is effective by acting as an antioxidant.
One thing is for sure, people with HCR want to know how to deal with the problem. Prevention is an answer, but a bit drastic for wine lovers. Another is to take antihistamine tablets like Clarityn or an aspirin to help stop the production of prostaglandins.
My recommendation to minimize the chance of getting a red wine headache is to try only one glass of a particular red, and if you don’t suffer in 15 to 20 minutes, stick with that wine. The jury is still out on the causes of red wine headaches, so if you do, why not reduce your risk by reducing your consumption first and always trying the best quality red wine you can.
One final thought. Whatever the cause of RWH, if you suffer from a nasty headache several hours after a long night of partying, you don’t have RWH, you have a hangover!
