As we nurse our holiday hangovers (why do they last so much longer now than they did years ago?), it might be time to evaluate what makes us so sick so that we can make better choices in the new year.
For many people, one glass of red wine causes an itchy rash, a wheezing cough, and/or a pounding headache. There’s no easy answer to why this happens in some people and not others (thankfully I am NOT one of these people). Here are two culprits of what may cause some of your symptoms if you’re one of the unfortunate souls who can’t drink red wine.
Congeners are the most likely culprit of pounding migraines. The type of congeners in red wine, called tannins, gives red wine its distinctive flavor and gives people susceptible to migraines a terrible headache. It’s easy to recognize that red wine gives you a headache, but the only way to prevent a headache is to switch to white wine. Image Credit
Sulfites, which are sometimes used to keep wine from spoiling, can cause symptoms similar to those seen in food allergies—coughing, wheezing, and itchy skin rashes. Sulfites are also found in Parmesan and other aged cheeses. If your symptoms are more serious or you experience abdominal pain, then histamine is more likely the cause. Sulfites are found in red and white wine but organic winemakers tend to not add sulfites, so keep an eye out for organic wines in the liquor store.
In the case of red wine, as is the case for all types of alcohol, moderation is key. The more red wine you drink, the worse the headaches and allergies can be. Or maybe in 2017, you could switch to white!
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