Red Wine and Headaches, They Go Together

Do you get a roaring headache after you drink a glass of red wine? This is a syndrome known as Red Wine Headache or RWH. The red wine headache is real but is poorly understood. There are many theories about what causes the red wine headache, but very few known facts. No one has really ever found out why red wine causes people to develop these types of headaches.

Some say compounds found in grape skins may cause it. They are either naturally occurring or produced through fermentation. Many doctors have tried to study this but have been shot down. Many say it is bad publicity to study those who drink. Carry Nation is with us yet.

Sulfites used to take the blame for red wine headache. Sulfite is a word used to describe forms of sulphurous acid, including sulphur dioxide. Sulfites have been used since ancient times for many purposes, including the cleansing of wine receptacles by both Romans and Egyptians. It has been used a food additives since the 17th century and the United States approved its use long ago in the early 1800's. It is currently used for its ability in controlling microbial growth, blanching certain foods, and preventing spoilage of certain perishable foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

It is the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that have gained the important role in wine making. The sulfites either inhibit or kill bacteria or wild yeast, thus encouraging rapid and clean fermentation of wine grapes. Sulfites are also a natural and minor by-product of yeast fermentation and this is produced during the wine fermentation process.

Wineries are required now to label their wine bottles that contain a certain level of the compound sulfites. Many people assume that the labeling is designed to warn people who get red wine headache. In fact, sulfite sensitively is a true allergy. Suffers experience an allergic reaction, but not a headache. Red wine headache is something else. It is a known fact that sweet white wines contain more sulfites than red wines, yet do not cause headaches in those who suffer from RWH.

I'm one of those that get a sensitive reaction from drinking red wine. I have hot flashes but they are not sever and a stuffy nose. My doctor has reassured me that this is just an allergic reaction and not RWH. Which is good. I don't think I could give up my wine!

Other people think tannins are at the root of the headaches. Tannins are the flavonoids in wine that set one's mouth to puckering. Tannins cause the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. High levels of serotonin can cause headaches and that may happen in people who also suffer from migraine headaches. But that does not explain why people who do not get migraines get RWH.

Did you know that chocolate and tea contains tannins but you don't hear of chocolate headaches.

Something else that is sometimes blamed is histamines. Red wines can contain up to 200% of histamines than white wines. People who are allergic to histamines are deficient in a certain enzyme. Some people believe that the combination of alcohol and the enzyme deficiency can cause the headaches.

The majority of the population doesn't care about the hypothesis; they just want to know what to do about the problem. Some people say take an antihistamine like Claritin or take an aspirin. But there are a few things you can try, like I did. That is to try different brands, different countries of origin. I have found I can drink some reds and not others.

The best way to test this is to just drink half a glass of red wine, then wait 15 minutes. If you are going to get a headache or any kind of reaction it will happen within that time period. If you have no reaction, stick with that wine for the evening but keep your alcohol consumption to no more than two glasses. Also, keep a journal or log on what wines you have a reactions to and what ones you don't.

Remember; don't confuse a headache six to seven hours after a full evening of drinking. That's called a hangover!