Red wine's hidden culprit causing frequent headaches revealed.
Switching up my book club drinking routine was a must when a new member begrudgingly joined, afflicted by a pervasive red wine headache. So, I began bringing both a jug of sparkling cider and my usual bottle of red.
I'm far from alone in this predicament. Alcohol, in general, provokes headaches in around 37% of people suffering from headaches. Red wine, in particular, is notorious as a migraine trigger. For those plagued by red wine headaches, pain can strike within 30 minutes to three hours after consuming even a small glass.
Curious to unearth the source of this oenophile-unfriendly phenomenon, a team of researchers from the University of California (UC) dived headfirst into the investigative waters.
The Culprit Revealed: Quercetin
Turns out the villain is a flavonoid called quercetin, one of the beneficial antioxidants that ward off the inflammation wrought by free radicals in the body. Quercetin boasts numerous health benefits: reducing blood pressure, aiding in maintaining a healthy prostate, and lowering the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and epilepsy. Luckily for health-conscious imbibers, quercetin can be found in various fruits and vegetables, including grapes, the beloved source of red wine. Cue the downfall — that's precisely where the troubles start.
"When [quercetin] makes its way into your bloodstream, your body converts it to a different form called quercetin glucuronide," elucidates wine chemist and corresponding author Andrew Waterhouse, professor emeritus with the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. "In that form, it inhibits the metabolism of alcohol."
As a result, the body starts amassing the toxin acetaldehyde, a well-known irritant and inflammatory substance. "Researchers have long known that high levels of acetaldehyde can cause facial flushing, headache, and nausea," adds lead author Apramita Devi, postdoctoral researcher with the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology.
This inhibition bears a striking resemblance to the effects of disulfiram, a medication prescribed to alcoholics to curb their drinking habits. The medicine causes the same symptoms and also leads to acetaldehyde accumulation by impairing the enzyme responsible for its break-down in the body.
Interestingly, this enzyme doesn't function as efficiently in about 40% of the East Asian population, allowing acetaldehyde to build up in their system.
"We propose that when susceptible people consume wine with even modest amounts of quercetin, they develop headaches, particularly if they have a pre-existing migraine or another primary headache condition," posits co-author Morris Levin, professor of neurology and director of the Headache Center at UC San Francisco (UCSF).
Additional Sources of Quercetin
Apprehensive about bidding adieu to quercetin altogether, fearing the loss of its numerous health benefits? Fret not, as there are numerous alternative sources for this flavonoid that steer clear of alcohol and its headache-inducing effects.
Some excellent quercetin-rich options include capers, tomatoes, onions, tea, grapes, apples, broccoli, berries, and green leafy vegetables. If dietary sources seem insufficient, quercetin supplements are another viable solution.
- The inflammation in the body caused by free radicals can be ward off by flavonoids like quercetin, which has numerous health benefits, including aiding in reducing blood pressure, maintaining a healthy prostate, and lowering the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and epilepsy.
- Quercetin is found in various foods, such as grapes, which is a beloved source of red wine, but it could be the culprit behind red wine headaches due to its conversion into quercetin glucuronide in the body.
- When quercetin glucuronide inhibits the metabolism of alcohol in the body, the toxin acetaldehyde, a well-known irritant and inflammatory substance, accumulates, leading to headaches, particularly in those with pre-existing migraines or other primary headache conditions.
- The accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body bears a striking resemblance to the effects of disulfiram, a medication prescribed to alcoholics to curb their drinking habits.
- This inhibition of alcohol metabolism by quercetin glucuronide is especially problematic for about 40% of the East Asian population, as their bodies don't function the enzyme responsible for acetaldehyde break-down as efficiently.
- For those looking to reap the benefits of quercetin without the risk of headaches, there are numerous alternative food sources, such as capers, tomatoes, onions, tea, grapes, apples, broccoli, berries, and green leafy vegetables.
- If dietary sources of quercetin seem insufficient, quercetin supplements can provide an additional solution, ensuring you can maintain a healthy lifestyle, prioritize brain health, and enjoy the best aspects of food and drink from global cuisines in fitness and wellness.
