Why does wine give headaches?
While some are unaffected, others really complain about it and even go so far as to avoid wine. This drink is not unanimous among the general public and it is sometimes overwhelmed with being the cause of headaches. Is it the wine that gives you a headache? What is it really ? We will try to answer these questions through this article and find the origin of this inconvenience related to wine consumption. In any case, we must not forget that wine is an alcoholic beverage to be consumed in moderation .
Discover organic wines, without added sulphites!
The day after the tasting: headaches
Remember that the French are among the biggest consumers of wine in France. A French person consumes on average nearly 45 liters of wine per year . However, not all French people are affected by this phenomenon. It is especially the day after the tasting that some people complain of these famous headaches . It is still necessary to distinguish the "hangover" which is common to all alcohols due to the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Red wine or white wine?
One thing is clear: for some people, wine causes a lot of headaches. The type of wine singled out is not always the same. For the French, it is white wine that causes headaches. For the Anglo-Saxons, it is more the red wine which is at the origin of this inconvenience. Seen from this angle, one might think that geography modulates the orientation of evils.
Sulfur: the most plausible cause
Sulfur is used in the production of wine to stabilize it and to prevent it from further fermentation during aging and winemaking . Even if some winegrowers force themselves to limit the quantity of sulphites used in the production , this remains essential. These wines that display "sulphur-free" are not really sulfite-free , but the quantity is really minimal because we must not forget that the wine, itself, naturally produces sulfur.
Numerous studies have shown that some people may have allergic reactions to sulfites . This manifests as sneezing, runny nose, itching, hives, abdominal pain or asthma attacks. If you have a headache when you drink wine, we speak more of an intolerance than an allergy. This intolerance presents more with milder symptoms such as headaches, redness, a stuffy nose or itchy eyes. This then explains your headache the next day when you drink wine. It should also be noted that these inconveniences do not always mean that you have drunk a lot. You may have a headache the next day even if you've had a glass or two of wine.
Dry white wine contains on average 30% more sulfur than red wine . We can then say that dry white wine causes more headaches than red wine. Soft and sweet white wines contain even more.
Because of the tannins
It is more red wines that are affected by this case. Red wines have a more tannic character and this tends to dry out the palate. Tannins also increase the production of serotonin by the body. The latter is a neurotransmitter that could cause headaches in some people. It should be noted all the same that in tea, cinnamon, soy, nuts and chocolate, one can also find tannins, but no one has ever complained of headaches after the consumption of these foods- the.
The degree of alcohol
When you consume an alcoholic drink , even in small quantities, the production of urine increases and your body will lose a lot of water. The more you consume, the more your organs, especially your brain, will become exhausted and dehydrated. It's dehydration that causes headaches after drinking wine.
All wines that are qualified as “low alcohol” contain between 5 and 10% alcohol. The degree of alcohol of the wines found on the markets is around 12 and 13%. This is the case of Pinot Noir from Burgundy or Alsace and Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire. Some wines even contain more than 17% alcohol.
Histamine in red wines
Histamine is a derivative of ammonia and this dilates the blood vessels, hence the headaches. The grapes used for the production of red wines have skins that contain a lot of histamine. However, during fermentation , red wine is macerated longer and the liquid stays longer in contact with these skins. We can then explain the headaches caused by histamine in high doses present in red wine.
Natural headache relief
If you have a headache caused by drinking a few glasses of wine the day before, you can relieve it naturally, without having to take an aspirin. To do this, take a large glass of tap water, it is the one that is most loaded with minerals with spring water. You can also make yourself a ginger tea to comfort yourself. Even if you are not on your plate, get up and get out of bed for a short walk of about ten minutes. This will release endorphins in your body. Also remember to take a hot shower : the temperature of the water will relieve the tension in the muscles and make your headaches disappear. Lavender essential oil can be effective in relieving pain. For this, mix two drops of this essential oil with sweet almond oil and apply the mixture in light massages on your temples.
