The Headache Myth
True allergic reactions are rare. Studies estimate fewer than 1% of people are genuinely sulfite-sensitive — most of them are asthmatics, where sulfites can trigger breathing problems. For asthmatic people, sulfites are a real risk. For most others, they're not.
So what causes “wine headaches”? Several candidates: histamines (more in red wine, especially aged), tyramine (an amino acid in fermented foods), tannins, biogenic amines in low-quality wine, and most importantly — dehydration and alcohol. Each glass of wine triggers diuretic effects; not drinking water alongside is often the real culprit.
There's also evidence of personal sensitivity to specific compounds — some people react to histamines, others to tannins, others to specific yeasts. The “I get headaches from wine” complaint usually has a more specific cause than sulfites.
