Scientists Uncover Why Red Wine Causes Headaches

Researchers from the University of California believe that the primary cause of headaches after consuming red wine is the influence of the antioxidant flavonol called quercetin, found in dark grapes, as reported by HealthLine.

Typically, the "red wine headache" can occur within 30 minutes to three hours after an individual has consumed even just one glass of wine. Quercetin, originating from grape seeds and skins, imparts the color and flavor to red wine, with the levels of flavonols in red wines potentially exceeding those in whites by up to 10 times.

Alcohol breaks down in the body through two stages. The first transforms ethanol into acetaldehyde, while the second converts acetaldehyde into harmless acetate. Specific enzymes in the liver regulate both of these processes.

Researchers discovered that the enzyme ALDH2, responsible for alcohol metabolism in red wine, may be affected by the presence of quercetin, interfering with its role in this process.

This disruption in metabolism could elevate levels of toxic acetaldehyde, leading to symptoms such as nausea, headaches, facial flushing, and sweating.

"When quercetin enters your bloodstream, the body converts it into another form called quercetin glucuronide. In this form, it inhibits alcohol metabolism," emphasized the lead author of the study, Andrew Waterhouse.

Currently, scientists plan to compare red wines rich in quercetin with those with minimal amounts of this antioxidant to practically test their theory regarding headaches from red wine. They also intend to propose solutions to prevent similar issues when consuming wine.

It is important to note that grapes produce quercetin in response to sunlight. Therefore, grapes grown in smaller clusters and with fewer leaves, such as Cabernet Napa Valley, may contain up to five times more quercetin than other red varieties.

International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) has released its initial estimates for global wine production in 2023. It is anticipated that the production volume will be the lowest in the last 60 years, with France leading the global wine market. Based on data from 29 countries, which produced 94% of the world's wine in 2022, global wine production (excluding juices and must) in 2023 is estimated to range from 241.7 million hectoliters (hl) to 246.6 million hl, with an average estimate of 244.1 million hl. This represents a 7% decrease compared to the average wine production of the previous year.