Why Does Certain Wine Give Me A Headache?
Some people experience headaches after drinking certain types of wine. This can happen due to various factors like the presence of substances called histamines, tannins, and sulfites in the wine. Additionally, factors such as dehydration, personal sensitivity to wine components, and the type of wine consumed can play a role.
The Presence of Histamines
What Are Histamines?
Histamines are natural chemicals found in many foods, including wine. In some individuals, histamines can cause headaches.
How Do Histamines Cause Headaches?
When you drink wine containing histamines, your body might react to them. This reaction can cause blood vessels to expand, and you may feel a headache coming on.
Tannins in Wine
What Are Tannins?
Tannins are substances found in the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes. They give the wine its dry taste.
How Do Tannins Affect Me?
Some people are sensitive to tannins, and consuming them might result in a headache. If you’ve noticed that red wine, which usually has more tannins, gives you headaches, this could be the reason.
Sulfites in Wine
What Are Sulfites?
Sulfites are chemicals used to preserve wine and keep it fresh. They are found in many wines, but some people are sensitive to them.
How Do Sulfites Affect Me?
If you are sensitive to sulfites, drinking wine that contains them can cause a headache. According to some experts, this is a common reason for wine-related headaches.
Dehydration and Alcohol Content
Why Does Dehydration Matter?
Alcohol, including wine, can make you dehydrated. When you become dehydrated, you might feel a headache.
How Does Alcohol Content Play a Role?
Wines with higher alcohol content can cause more dehydration, so you might notice a headache after drinking them.
Personal Sensitivity
What Does Personal Sensitivity Mean?
Everyone’s body is different, and you might react to certain substances in wine differently than others. Your sensitivity to ingredients like histamines, tannins, and sulfites could be why you get headaches from certain wines.
The Bottom Line
The reason certain wines give you a headache could be a combination of factors. It may include the presence of histamines, tannins, sulfites, dehydration, and personal sensitivities. If this is a concern for you, you might want to talk to a health professional or choose wines that are less likely to cause headaches.
Further Reading: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink a Glass of Wine Daily
