What Causes Red Wine Headaches

For many who enjoy wine, the experience of savoring a glass of red wine is one of life’s great pleasures. However, for some, this enjoyment is marred by a puzzling and often painful phenomenon: the dreaded red wine headache.

While wine lovers have long speculated about the causes, a new study published in Scientific Reports might finally shed light on this mysterious ailment.

The research suggests that quercetin, a natural compound found in higher concentrations in red wine than in white or other alcoholic beverages, could play a key role in triggering these headaches. Notably, one of the three authors of the study — Dr. Morris Levin — is the director of the Headache Center at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, where he specializes in treating migraines and other types of headaches.

The Puzzle of Red Wine Headaches

Red wine headaches (RWH) have perplexed both casual drinkers and scientists for years. Unlike general alcohol-induced headaches, which are typically associated with overconsumption, RWH can strike some individuals after just a glass or two of red wine, while they can consume other alcoholic drinks with impunity.

Past hypotheses have pointed to various suspects, from sulfites (commonly used as preservatives in wine) to histamines and…