Wine and Migraine

Written By Jamie Brackenrich

Wine and Migraines: Ingredients That Can Trigger Headaches

For some people, a single glass of wine can turn into hours, or even days, of migraine pain. While alcohol itself can be a trigger, research and migraine specialists suggest that specific ingredients and compounds in wine are often the real problem.

Understanding what’s inside wine can help explain why it affects migraine sufferers differently and why some wines seem worse than others.

Important note: This article is for general health education only.

Common Wine Ingredients Linked to Migraines

1. Sulfites

Sulfites are preservatives added to wine to prevent spoilage and oxidation.

  • Commonly found in white wine, sweet wine, and boxed wine

  • Can trigger headaches, especially in people sensitive to sulfites

  • Often listed on labels as “contains sulfites”

While sulfites don’t cause migraines for everyone, they are a frequent culprit for those who notice headaches shortly after drinking.

2. Histamines

Histamines are naturally occurring compounds formed during fermentation.

  • Higher levels in red wine due to longer contact with grape skins

  • Can cause blood vessel dilation

  • The body uses an enzyme (DAO) to break them down, some people don’t produce enough

For people with histamine sensitivity, this can lead to migraines, flushing, or sinus pressure.

3. Tannins

Tannins are plant compounds that give wine its dry, bitter taste.

  • Found mostly in red wine

  • Can stimulate serotonin release, which may trigger migraines in some individuals

  • Higher in bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah

4. Tyramine

Tyramine forms as foods and drinks ferment or age.

  • Present in aged wines

  • Known migraine trigger for some people

  • Can affect blood pressure and brain chemistry

People with migraines are often advised to limit tyramine-containing foods, and wine can be part of that picture.

5. Added Sugars

Some wines—especially flavored or dessert wines, contain added sugars.

  • Can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes

  • Blood sugar instability is a known migraine trigger

  • Often worse when combined with dehydration from alcohol

6. Dehydration Effects

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases fluid loss.

  • Dehydration can directly trigger migraines

  • Wine also contains compounds that may worsen dehydration effects

This is one reason headaches can appear hours after drinking.

Why Red Wine Is a Common Trigger

Red wine tends to combine multiple migraine triggers:

  • Higher histamines

  • Higher tannins

  • Fermentation compounds

  • Alcohol-related dehydration

That combination makes it one of the most frequently reported migraine-triggering beverages.

How Headache Bestie Can Help in Real Time

Migraine triggers don’t always announce themselves ahead of time—especially in social settings. Restaurants, celebrations, or group dinners can put people in an awkward position when wine is offered and ingredient details aren’t obvious.

That’s where Headache Bestie comes in.

At a Restaurant or Event

Imagine you’re looking at a wine list and someone asks:

  • “Do you want red or white?”

  • “This one’s really popular, should we order it for the table?”

  • “Is this wine usually safe for headaches?”

Instead of guessing (or feeling pressured), you can text Headache Bestie and ask questions like:

  • Is red wine more likely to trigger migraines?

  • Are sulfites or histamines higher in this type of wine?

  • What questions should I ask the server to understand migraine risk?

Headache Bestie helps you:

  • Quickly identify common migraine-triggering ingredients

  • Decide whether it’s better to skip, substitute, or say no

  • Feel confident choosing what supports your health—without overexplaining

Helping You Ask the Right Questions

Wine menus often don’t list ingredients, but Headache Bestie can help you know what to ask, such as:

  • Is the wine dry or sweet?

  • Is it aged or heavily fermented?

  • Is it a bold red with high tannins?

Even if the answer isn’t clear, Headache Bestie helps you recognize when uncertainty itself is a red flag.

Reducing Pressure, Not Just Pain

One of the hardest parts of migraine management isn’t the migraine, it’s the social pressure.

Having Headache Bestie on hand means:

  • You don’t have to decide alone

  • You don’t have to rely on myths or guesswork

  • You have backup when your brain is already overloaded

Sometimes the best migraine-friendly choice is simply opting out—and Headache Bestie reinforces that protecting your health is always valid.

The Bottom Line

Migraine-safe decisions often need to happen in the moment. Whether it’s a restaurant, a family gathering, or a special occasion, Headache Bestie is there to help you pause, check, and choose what’s best for your head—no pressure, no shame.

Stay Well,

The Headache Bestie <3

Jamie Brackenrich
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Not All Headaches are the Same