Migraine and Wine
In 1979, a study published in the respected Lancet listed ten foods proven to be associated with migraines. They range from wheat to milk to oranges to eggs, and have varying effects on different people. Several, however, are subtle enough to avoid detection for extended periods of time, as they are hidden in other foods(1).
"Red wine headache", sometimes referred to as RWH, is supposed to be caused by the yeast from the fermentation process. This is one of the most common instances of yeast related headaches. In 2007, Dr. Hennie van Vuuren, well known for his studies at the University of British Colombia's Wine Research Centre, published his work with the genetically modified yeast known as ML01(2).
Van Vuuren initiated the work because of his own headaches that he traced to red wine, and expended his efforts to finding the cause and engineering a yeast to remove the triggering compound. His efforts may take time to bear fruit, as "Wineries are hesitant to disclose the use of genetic enhancement due to public outcry", he said in an interview(3).
The fear is that wineries would find their products boycotted because of the genetic modification. The question is why it should be acceptable for genetically modified insulin to be used in the treatment of diabetes, yet unacceptable for migraine sufferers to alleviate their symptoms by drinking genetically modified wine.
A study conducted over a three year period questioned migraine patients about triggers. 28% reported sensitivity to beer, and another 11.8% to red wine (but not white wine, a different type of fermentation being used in these than in the red or in beer.) Nevertheless, anecdotally, when I was tested for food sensitivity, white wine, rather than red, was implicated as a slight problem for me.
Yeast is to blame for many health problems, particularly female complaints which may frequently be associated with migraine too. Candida is the yeast in question, and a study done by the Immogenics corporation (which offers full range allergy testing called NOVO) found that the most common triggers for migraine sufferers were sugar (68%) and yeast (65%) - and that fully a third were sensitive to Candida(4).
Although wine drinking is a pleasurable part of life, and moderate quantities of red wine are good for you, it isn't an essential part of the diet. Therefore it's a good idea to try abstinence for a while to see if the pattern of your migraine changes.
References: (1) Food, Allergies and Migraine. Grant ECG, Lancet, May 5, 1979;966-969. 37344 (2) Hennie J.J. van Vuuren , ML01, Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 58:1:42-52 (2007) (3) ML01, Dr. Hennie van Vuuren Interview at http://reignofterroir.com/2008/03/11/ml01-dr-hennie-van-vuuren-interview/ (4) Migraines: NOVO has Food for Thought
About the Author
Joy Healey qualified as a nutritionist in 2000, at the prestigious Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London.
To read more articles on migraine and food intolerance subscribe to the free mini-course at: http://www.StopTheMigraineMadness.com
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here