Many migraine sufferers find that having a glass of red wine brings on a migraine headache. A small new study suggests that when it comes to migraines, some types of red wine may be more likely to trigger a headache than others. Apparently, the difference is in the amount of tannin the wine has that triggers the migraines. Tannins are flavonoids in red wine that give it a drying, sometimes puckering quality. The more tannin a wine has, the more it will dry out your mouth after you sip it. While no one is quite sure why red wine may trigger headaches, some studies have shown that tannins may promote the production of the brain chemical serotonin. Changes in serotonin levels may trigger migraines in susceptible individuals.
RED WINE STUDY
In a study, 40 patients were asked to partake in drinking a half-bottle of four different types of red wine. All the patients reported that they had migraines after drinking red wine before the experiment. In the experiment, each participant was to wait at least four days after drinking one of the half-bottles before they tried another. The four wines had different percentages of tannin. They were 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 tannin, while the carbernet and the merlot had lower tannin levels.
The study was completed by 33 of the 40 patients. Nearly 90% had at least one migraine attack within 12 hours of drinking one of the half-bottles of red wine. About 50 percent of the people in the study had at least two migraine attacks after drinking the various reds. Thirty-three percent of patients got a migraine after every half-bottle. Four people didn’t get a migraine after drinking any of the wines. Among the 18 patients who had at least two migraine attacks after drinking the red wines, 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.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Does that mean that people with migraines can drink cabernet and merlot wines without fear of migraine headaches? This answer is not that clear cut. Different wines, even of the same types, can have different levels of tannin. For example, a cabernet from France shows higher levels of tannin than a cabernet from South America.
Furthermore, there could be other factors at play besides the tannin levels in wine. Many migraines are brought about by a combination of triggers like not getting enough sleep and drinking a glass of wine the night before.
Another possibility is the fact that wines also contain sulfates. No research has been done on the sulfate levels in wine with association with migraines. Sulfites are chemicals that are added to wine to increase its shelf life. Some people find that when they drink wine without sulfites they don’t get headaches.
More research needs to done on this topic before any conclusions can be made. Until then, avoid red wines if you can. Maybe switch to a nice white wine. If you have to drink a glass of red wine, keep in mind that it’s like playing Russian roulette – it’s a chance you take.
Tags: blurred vision, dizziness, head pain, lightheadedness, migraine symptoms, nausea, vomiting
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