5 headache-free wines to try

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Previous research suggested that most people who experience wine-related headaches likely have an underlying migraine disorder, meaning they also experience headaches and/or migraines not associated with wine.

However, a more recent systematic review and analysis found that no conclusive evidence associates higher or lower migraine risk with wine consumption.

Anyone can get wine headaches, and they can develop for the following reasons.

1. Tannins

Red wine is the main culprit for headaches because these wines tend to contain more tannins, natural compounds found in the skin, seeds, and stems of grapes, says Nicole Avena-Blanchard, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York 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, which can lead to lower serotonin levels in some people,” says Dr. Avena-Blanchard.

2. Chemicals in wine

Another major reason red wine causes headaches involves chemicals called histamines, which are found in the skin of both red and white grapes, although they are significantly more abundant in red grapes, says Avena-Blanchard. They can cause the blood vessels in your brain to dilate, leading to headaches.

“Some people are sensitive to the histamines in wine, especially those who report feeling flushed in the face when they drink wine,” says David Perlmutter, MD, neurologist, fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and author of ‌Acid drop‌. “These people may also experience headaches from other foods high in histamines, such as aged cheeses, fermented foods like sauerkraut, and processed or smoked meats.”

Some people may also be sensitive to another chemical found in wine – sulfites – although these are more associated with allergy and asthma symptoms. “Sulfites are compounds that act as preservatives in red and white wines,” explains Dr. Perlmutter. “Like histamine sensitivity, sulfite sensitivity can trigger a feeling of flushing in addition to hives, stomach upset, rapid heart rate, and headaches.”

Finally, recent research has highlighted the presence of an 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 is formed in the bloodstream. This can prevent the body from processing alcohol, which can lead to a buildup of a toxin called acetaldehyde and cause flushing, headaches, and nausea that can sometimes make drinking wine uncomfortable.