Does red wine help with headaches?

Have you ever experienced a throbbing headache after indulging in your favorite bottle of red wine? Well, you’re not alone. But have you ever considered that maybe the remedy for the headache lies within the same beloved drink that caused it? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at whether or not red wine can actually help with headaches.

What Causes Headaches After Drinking Red Wine?

Before diving into whether or not red wine can cure those pesky headaches, it’s important to establish what causes these headaches in the first place. Some theories suggest that certain elements present in red wine could trigger migraines and other forms of headaches. These include:

• Histamines
• Tannins
• Sulfites

Histamines are compounds found in many fermented products such as aged cheese and cured meats. They are also naturally present in grapes used to manufacture red wines. Fun fact alert: Histamine is an inflammatory compound derived from amino acid histidine! When excess amounts of histamines enter our bodies through ingestion (like when drinking too much red wine), they prompt an immune response which leads to inflammation and allergic reactions; hence resulting into those pounding headaches.

Tannins are polyphenolics found naturally abundant in grape skin – particularly more common among rough-textured varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives them their distinct bitterness taste they often claim as “acquired”. On its own noting wrong here but combined with elevated levels of alcohol intake….don’t say we didn’t warn ya!

Sulfites are chemicals added during winemaking process to preserve longevity by killing undesirable bacteria whose presence makes some typesof wines unpleasantly musty/odorous! However, sulfites can trigger allergies especially amongst persons with asthma history leading to severe airway narrowing/bronchoconstriction – this might be associated with rapid breathing difficulty aka shortness of breath alongside your headache.

Is there a Remedy for Headaches Triggered by Red Wine?

Now that we have established what could be triggering those headaches after a fun night out enjoying red wine, the next question is whether there exists an effective remedy to counteract them specifically caused by drinking too much of this kind of wine. And one that doesn’t involve simply avoiding red wines or anything even remotely grape-derived!

Drink Plenty Of Water!

It’s suggested to drink plenty of water before, during and after you go on a “red-wine spree”. It helps keep hydrated throughout which can significantly reduce both headache intensity and its’ duration just in case it manages to sneak up on ya!

Adjust Your Serving Sizes

Another way might be limiting yourself size-wise – stick within limited intake levels for occasion – ideally < 5 oz. per sitting.(1 glass). This makes sense considering your body weight plays major role regarding amount of alcohol consumed/eliminated from system so scale down as required

This isn’t about depriving ourselves off good things – more like limiting them because our well-being matters…kinda like in relationships 😌 However i agree with Friedrich Neitzsche’s take;”Too much champagne🍾 is just right”….(apologies if my memory serves me incorrect here!) but hey moments are meant to be enjoyed sometimes at any given level (responsibly though).

Try Out Different Wines

It may help when struggling with the abrupt discomfort associated with certain types of red wines, try branching out into different varieties such as Merlot & Pinot Noir possessing lesser tannins than heavier-bodied equivalents such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. They allow increased likelihood allergies won’t surface from histamine exposure.

Quick warning: At first attempt expect some form resistance since changes require gettin’ outta our comfort zones but trust me when I say, opening yourself up to new experiences is a beautiful thing.

Can Red Wine Actually Help with Headaches?

We finally arrive at the million-dollar question – does red wine help relieve headaches? As much as I would like to provide an emphatic yes, the answer isn’t that straightforward. Some studies suggest that components found in red wine such as flavanols or resveratrol could have anti-inflammatory effects capable of providing some pain relief (though then again these were conducted on models and not people!).

Grapes and Migraine Research

Surprisingly when grapes are ingested minus fermentation process i.e raw consumption in form of solid fruit, they seem to deliver entirely different results! Grapes’ seedless flesh was tested; evidenced by decreased intensity/duration of migraine attacks – diminishing inflammation levels possibly reducing histamine build-up plus increasing serotonin(some call it “happiness hormone”) levels greater than their fermented counterparts containing same amount ethanol!

Worth giving it shot next time U plan out date night huh?

However, other factors can contradict this suggestion since alcohol itself remains a diuretic prompting dehydration & electrolyte imbalance which easily reverses impacts better blood flow enhancements meant for minimizes headache related soreness/anxieties….oye vei!

Moderation Is Key

If you’re going to use red wine as a remedy for your headaches, remember moderation is key. Drinking excessive amounts will only lead to more underlying issues such as dehydration and worsening headaches! One glass may be helpful — but if you overindulge…better accept those consequences darling!

Conclusion

So there you have it – while moderate drinking of red wines might assist thwart pounding migraines if maybe caused by intake excessive doses from substances similar tannins/histamines/sulfites……it’s still best practice limit oneself(or plain ol stay away)red wines especially ones historically accountablefor regularly rendering recurring headaches & hazy moments!
Ultimately, it requires being attentive with your body and paying attention to signals it sends you. If red wine is an item in your diet that causes not-so-nice effects like headaches perhaps either adjust the way enjoy or choose another variant all together — health above all else(here’s lookin’ at you doc👀).

Now; excuse me while I sip 🍷this glass of Malbec – now knowing better how to minimize any potentially forthcoming headache so resulting implications aren’t super pesky – happy imbibing 😉.

• polyphenolic compounds = naturally present in plants they provide some hormonal benefits but too much consumption can someday lead toxicity
  cabernet sauvignon = cross between grassy herbaceous smelly Cabernet Francand tannic chatty Sauvignon Blancgrapes 😉
  Flavanols/Reservatrol=Compounds found same potent coloured grapes skins/stems/fruits probably had studied effect of significantly suppressing human inflammation markers essential slowing/preventing inflammatory diseases from developing