Red wine (Tannins)

In 2012 a small study was conducted by Dr. Abouch V. Krymchantowsk of the Rio Headache Clinic. He asked 40 patients at his headache clinic to try an experiment. These patients had previously indicated their migraines were triggered by drinking red wine.

He gave them half-bottles of four different kinds of wine: a Malbec, a Tannat, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Merlot. All the wines were from South America. The Malbec and the Tannat were high in tannins, while the Carbernet and the Merlot had lower tannin levels. He asked people to wait at least four days after drinking one of the half-bottles before they tried another.
Krymchantowski says the wines with the highest tannin content, the Tannat and the Malbec, were the most likely to have been the apparent triggers of those attacks and the Cabernet and Merlots triggered less attacks. So all wines, it seems, are not equal, with some being more likely to provoke a migraine attack than others. It is also clearly not the alcohol alone that triggers an attack as some people can’t drink red wine but can drink white wine, beer or sprits. So what is it in red wine specifically that triggers migraines?

Sulfites

The jury is out on this as some studies show evidence that wines high in sulphates cause migraines and other studies are contradictory. Sulphur dioxide is a preservative added to many other foods as well as wine. In wine, it prevents oxidisation and retains freshness. Red wine often contains less sulphites than white or sweet wines. If you would like to try this approach look for the label “no added sulphur”. As sulphur occurs naturally in the fermentation process it’s impossible to have a completely sulphur free product.

Tannins

Tannins have a drying effect in the mouth when consumed. The higher the tannin level, the more drying the effect. It’s thought that tannins also boost serotonin, a brain chemical that’s been associated with migraine in some people. You can test your reaction to tannins by drinking a cup of over-steeped black tea. This floods it with more tannins than you’d normally drink. If drinking this tannin-rich tea leaves you headache free, it’s unlikely to be the tannins in wine that cause your migraine reaction.

Histamines

Histamines are thought to be more likely to cause headache and migraine than other ingredients in wine. They are part of a family of substances called biogenic amines, produced by otherwise harmless micro-organisms, often in the course of fermentation. They are found in many things we consume, including beer, cheese, sausages, bananas, chocolate, canned tuna and wine. Some people lack sufficient quantities of an enzyme that synthesizes dietary amines, leaving them susceptible to headaches or severe migraines. Some people anecdotally suggest taking a histamine blocker before wine consumption to reduce the triggering effect but check with your chemist or GP as there may be some contraindications with alcohol and other medications.