| What is the culprit in red wine that causes | | | | 4. A fourth cause, and often the one most |
| headache or migraine, or as it is sometimes | | | | drinkers blame is sulfites. Sufferers who are |
| known "Red Wine Headache" (RWH), after a glass | | | | sensitive to sulfites may not get a headache at all, |
| or more of this lovely beverage? Is it the red | | | | but may experience an allergic reaction.Sulfites are |
| wine in its entirety, the sulfites in the wine or | | | | remarkably powerful in their task as anti-oxidants. |
| perhaps even the tannin? | | | | They are known to increase the symptoms of |
| The RWH is said to be a misunderstood | | | | asthma in a small number of asthmatics while |
| phenomenon - try telling that to any sufferer - | | | | some sufferers may experience difficulties when |
| but there are so many theories about it's causes, | | | | eating food or drink containing sulfites. The |
| yet fairly few facts to back them up. One thing | | | | inhalation of sulfite vapours can also be extremely |
| for sure is that it is some compound within the | | | | irritating.Why is there a need to add Sulfites to |
| red wine itself. | | | | Wine? |
| What are the likely causes of Red Wine | | | | Sulfites are added for a variety of reasons, these |
| Headaches? | | | | include: |
| Compounds within grape skins are likely causes, | | | | - The control of bacterial growth before, during |
| these can be either naturally occurring or be a | | | | and after the fermentation of the wine. |
| product of the fermentation itself. Yet the blame | | | | - Slows down the oxidation or browning of the |
| for RWH nearly always comes back to sulfites | | | | juice/wine. This ensures a good, clean sample will |
| that are added to the wine during the winemaking | | | | not be affected at all.N.B.Many sweet wines |
| process. But there are other possible causes: | | | | require more sulfites than red wines. The tannin in |
| | | | the red is effective in acting as an antioxidant. |
| 1. Tannins could well be responsible for some of | | | | One thing is for sure, people who suffer from |
| the headaches. It is these flavanoids in the wine | | | | RWH want to know how to cope with the |
| that make one's mouth pucker that could be to | | | | problem. Prevention is one answer, but a bit |
| blame. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter is shown to | | | | drastic to wine lovers. Another is to take |
| be released by tannins, and high levels of | | | | antihistamine tablets like Clarityn or an aspirin to |
| serotonin may cause headaches to people who | | | | help cease prostaglandin production. |
| also are migraine headache sufferers. But why do | | | | My recommendation to minimise the chance of |
| we not hear about headaches caused by tea, soy | | | | getting a red wine headache is to sample just one |
| or chocolate, these all contain tannins? | | | | glass of a particular red, and if you don't suffer |
| 2. What about histamines? The histamine level in | | | | within 15 or 20 minutes, stick to that wine. The |
| red wine is up to twice as high as it is in white | | | | jury is still out on what causes red wine |
| wine. Therefore anyone with an histamine allergy | | | | headaches, so if you are a sufferer, why not |
| may be deficient in a particular enzyme. The | | | | reduce the risk by reducing your intake first and |
| combination of the alcohol and that deficiency | | | | always try the best quality red wine you can. |
| could (although not proven) be yet another cause | | | | A final thought. Whatever the cause of RWH, if |
| of the headaches. | | | | you suffer from a nasty headache several hours |
| 3. A third idea is that prostaglandins may be the | | | | after a long night out, you haven't got RWH - |
| root cause of RWH. These are substances that | | | | you've got a hangover! |
| contribute to pain. | | | | |