Red wine, enjoyed by many for its rich flavors and potential health benefits, comes with a set of pros and cons. On one hand, some studies have suggested a glass a day (or two for men) can be heart-healthy. On the other hand, there are several drawbacks, including the belief that red wine could cause headaches.
For years it has been believed that wine is a headache trigger, and while there’s general literature that supports this theory, additional studies in the general population are lacking. For those who suffer from migraines, however, there is an abundance of literature linking wine, in particular red wine, to migraine triggers. So if you have frequent migraines, you might want to go easy on the red stuff, and here’s why.
New research from Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain has suggested that while the exact reasons for red wine’s triggering potential is unknown, exposure to flavonoid radicals found in red wines could be involved. Flavonoid radicals have the potential to interfere with the serotonin levels, which could explain the relationship between wine and migraine. This group of chemical compounds is linked to the taste, color, and mouthfeel of wine and includes tannins, which are responsible for that slightly sour sensation you experience after a sip. Problem is, once tannins are ingested, they spur the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can cause headaches in some people at high levels.
