Wine & Headaches

Millions of people report getting headaches after drinking wine, and I’m not necessarily talking about a hang over the next day. Some people report getting headaches after drinking white wine, others after drinking red, and some after drinking ANY wine. I’ll admit that even I get headaches now and then after drinking red wine, frequently after drinking cheap red wine, and sometimes even after eating a lot of cheese. If you’ve ever wondered what brings this phenomenon on, this article is for you!

While dehydration can play a significant roll in how you’ll feel the day after drinking, there are different things that influence the way your body metabolizes alcohol. DNA, age, gender, health, and your level of physical activity all play a roll in how each of us reacts to alcohol. Regardless, there are a few common factors to be considered, such as tryamine, histamines, tannins, and sulfites.

Tyramine is a chemical found in red wine that is said to dilate blood vessels, which can trigger migraines in some people. Tyramine is typically produced during fermentation of food products, which means it can be present in over ripened or dried fruit, matured or aged meat, processed food, and cheese. While cream cheese has little notable amounts of Tyramine, most aged cheeses are highly concentrated along with cured meat, fermented soy products (such as sauces and tofu), and any processed food containing yeast extract or shrimp paste. If Tyramine is causing your problems, you might try sticking to less concentrated white wines and cutting back on aged and cured foods a little. Or if you’re like me, you’ll just take it in stride and “suffer” the side affects now and then.

Histamines are organic nitrogen compounds that triggers an inflammatory response in your body. Histamines are found naturally in fermented foods and beverages by the fermenting of bacteria or yeasts, and are reportedly more prevalent in red wine than in white. There are a number of “experts” around that dispute any evidence to this, but I’ve known people that will actually begin sneezing sporadically, and start sounding like they’re coming down with a cold after 4 or more glasses of red wine (while showing obvious signs of intoxication). According to Wickipedia, wine contains 2-10 mg of histamine per liter, while Sake contains 20-40mg/L. More likely than not, histamines would potentially have a magnifying affect on a person who already suffers from allergies during such profiled seasons. Either way, it shouldn’t be too difficult to accept the idea that you could get a sinus headache from drinking too much red wine. I’ve heard of people taking an inhibitor an hour or so before consuming red wine (such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen), but be sure to adhere to their warnings that if you consume three or more alcoholic beverages per day, you should consult with a doctor before taking their product.

Tannins are the flavonoids found in grape skins, stems, and seeds that give a wine that mouth-drying sensation when left in contact with the juice during production. While tannins are typically more noticeable in red wines (as that’s where they derive their color), they are also absorbed through barrel aging. Some experts have reported that tannins can cause the release of serotonin (a neurotransmitter), of which high levels can cause headaches in people who suffer from migraines. If tannins are the cause of your headaches, you could try limiting your wine consumption to whites that typically forego barrel aging – such as Riesling, Italian Pinot Grigio, or Torrontes.

Sulfites occur naturally in all wines (protecting them from oxidation and bacteria), and can also be added as a preservative to enhance the aging process. Without that sulfur, grape juice would simply turn into vinegar. Generally speaking, white wines will typically contain more sulfites than red wines, and sweet dessert wines will contain more than dry wines. While sulfites are reported as being among the top nine food allergens, less than 1% of the population is supposed to have a reaction to them, and at this time there are reportedly no reliable studies that link sulfites to migraines. If sulfites are your main concern, then it should also be noted that they’re used as a food preservative as well (especially in dried fruit and potato products), and can be labeled as sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfite or metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, or sodium sulfite. Asthmatics and people with aspirin sensitivity are warned that they may be at an elevated risk for sulfite reactions that typically include sneezing, swelling of the throat, and hives.

Do your homework and you’ll find numerous reliable studies that support the information provided above. On a more personal note, I’ve found there to be a number of ways for the average person to avoid minor headaches from drinking wine. When I was a youngster in the Air Force working on planes, I had the opportunity more than once to witness the miraculous “hang over” combating attributes that a pilot’s oxygen mask held. It’s pretty amazing how breathing low pressure pure oxygen for a minute or two can knock out a headache better than any drug on the market. While I can’t recommend trying this at home (due to obvious dangers), you should make a mental note of the cause and effect. If you’ve ever wondered why one day you can drink to your hearts content with no negative “day after” affects, and then another day you suffer with a terrible headache after barely drinking anything, you should consider your level of activity. The harder you’re breathing and the faster your heart is beating, the more oxygen is being brought in and pumped throughout your body. In general, your liver can metabolize one 5oz glass of wine per hour with minimal side effects. However, you can get a leg up on the task if you’re healthy, active, hydrated, and eating something while you drink. I’ve found that I’m more likely to get a headache after drinking a glass or two of wine when I drink alone and I’m sedentary, than when I’m with company and having a good time. Besides, a bottle of wine is always better when shared with someone!