Not a week goes by without a question from a member wondering which red wines they should drink to avoid a headache, known to doctors and those who suffer from it as Red Wine Headache (RWH).
Fortunately I don’t suffer from RWH but at least 20% of people do according to some studies. A survey of the medical literature is indecisive except that it rules out what does not cause RWH – sulphur. Since white wine often has more sulphur than red wine and white wines generally do not cause RWH scientists have ruled out this preservative additive.
The latest research could offer a glimmer of hope for red wine lovers / suffers of RWH but it is not good news for your wallet. Tyramine are different compounds found in wine and in humans cause the contraction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain. The throbbing associated with a headache is the caused by the tyramines’ affect on the blood vessels.
Tyramines are highest in young and unfiltered red wines. The ageing process is known to integrate and reduce the tyramines in red wine. Therefore older wines and those with more barrel ageing could pose a significantly lower risk of causing RWH.
If you suffer from RWH try half a glass of a quality aged wine (filtered of course, as most wines are) say 5 or more years old. After 15 minutes see how you feel. This is not good news for bag in box drinkers where the wine expires after 11 months and adds another point to the list of reasons not to spritz your wine from a bag.
If drinking aged red wine is a way to indulge your passion for red wines and avoid the nasty headache, still don’t forget that over-indulgence only delays the headache until the morning – so still drink responsibly.
Cheers on this dark, cold and rainy sunday!
Mark
Tags: RWH
