Previous research suggested that most people who get headaches from wine likely have an underlying migraine disorder, meaning that they also experience headaches and/or migraines not associated with wine.
However, a more recent systematic review and analysis found that no conclusive evidence links higher or lower migraine risk with wine drinking. Anyone can get a wine headache, and they may develop for the following reasons.
1. Tannins
Red wine is the biggest culprit when it comes to headaches because these vinos tend to contain more tannins, naturally occurring compounds found in the skin, seeds, and stems of the grape, says Nicole Avena-Blanchard, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and visiting associate professor of health psychology at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.
“Tannins tend to bind to starches in our bodies when we digest them, and this can cause serotonin levels to be lower in some individuals,” Dr. Avena-Blanchard says.
2. Chemicals in Wine
Another major reason why red wine causes headaches involves chemicals called histamines, which are found in the skins of both red and white grapes, though they are significantly more abundant in red grapes, Avena-Blanchard says. They can cause the blood vessels in your brain to dilate, resulting in headaches.
“Some people are sensitive to the histamines found in wine, particularly those who report a sensation of facial flushing when drinking wine,” says David Perlmutter, MD, neurologist, fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and author of Drop Acid. “These people may also get headaches from other foods high in histamines like aged cheeses, fermented foods like sauerkraut, and processed or smoked meats.”
Some people may also be sensitive to another chemical found in wine — sulfites — though these are more associated with allergy and asthma symptoms. “Sulfites are compounds that act as preservatives in both red and white wines,” Dr. Perlmutter says. “Like histamine sensitivity, sulfite sensitivity can trigger a sense of flushing in addition to hives, upset stomach, rapid heartbeat, and headaches.”
Finally, recent research has highlighted the antioxidant compound quercetin. In other forms, quercetin is healthy, and some people even take it as a supplement. When you consume quercetin, a compound called quercetin glucuronide forms in the bloodstream. This can block the body from processing alcohol, which can lead to a buildup of a toxin called acetaldehyde and cause the flushing, headaches, and nausea that can sometimes make wine drinking uncomfortable.
3. Dehydration
Wine, being a form of alcohol, is also a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates you. And dehydration sets the stage for headaches.
“These dehydration headaches may follow wine consumption within hours, or they may manifest the next day as part of the morning hangover experience,” Perlmutter says.
With all that in mind, here are some of the wines that are least likely to cause a headache.
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