Do you ever feel sick – get a headache – after drinking red wine? Well, now scientists at the University of California, Davis, say they may have found the cause of what is known as “red wine headache,” which can hot you about 30 minutes after drinking that glass of wine. They have linked it to Flavanol, a chemical found in red wine.
The researchers think that a flavanol found naturally in red wines can interfere with the proper metabolism of alcohol and that this is what causes the headache. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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Flavonols are polyphenolic phenolic compounds with an aromatic ring chemical structure. that have 2 or more hydroxyl groups included in the molecule, can dissolve in water Most often found together with sugar. In the form of glycoside compounds, flavonoids found in plants include flavonol, flavonone, flavone, isoflavone, flavonol catechin and anthocyanins.
Flavonols are compounds found in a variety of plants, including fruits, vegetables, beverages, and dietary supplements. The most common flavonols include quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin.
Flavonols have antioxidant properties. (Antioxidant) is effective in protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are substances that arise from biochemical reactions in the body. This results in cells deteriorating and various diseases such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.
The specific flavanol in question that is found in red wines is called quercetin, and it is naturally present in all kinds of fruits and vegetables, including grapes. It’s considered a healthy antioxidant and is even available in supplement form. But when metabolized with alcohol, it can be problematic.
“When it gets in your bloodstream, your body converts it to a different form called quercetin glucuronide,” said wine chemist and corresponding author Andrew Waterhouse, professor emeritus with the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. “In that form, it blocks the metabolism of alcohol.”
“We postulate that when susceptible people consume wine with even modest amounts of quercetin, they develop headaches, particularly if they have a preexisting migraine or another primary headache condition,” said co-author Morris Levin, professor of neurology and director of the Headache Center at the University of California, San Francisco. “We think we are finally on the right track toward explaining this millennia-old mystery. The next step is to test it scientifically on people who develop these headaches, so stay tuned.”
Unfortunately, while the cause of this problem may be known, the scientists offered no solutions.
So, if you are someone who suffers from “red wine headache,” then maybe from now on you should order a nice Chablis or Chardonnay with your dinner.
