For many, a glass of red wine is synonymous with relaxation and health benefits, but for some, it leads to an unwelcome aftermath: a headache. Now, researchers at the University of California believe they have uncovered a potential reason why.
Scientists at the University of California have identified a flavanol in red wine, known as “quercetin,” that may disrupt the body’s alcohol metabolism, resulting in headaches.
Quercetin, a potent antioxidant also available as a supplement, undergoes a transformation in the bloodstream into quercetin glucuronide, which, according to Professor Emeritus Andrew Waterhouse of the UC Davis viticulture and oenology department, “blocks the metabolism of alcohol.”
The study focused on the impact of flavanols on an enzyme called ALDH2, crucial for breaking down alcohol in the body.
The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, indicate that quercetin significantly inhibits this enzyme, leading to an accumulation of acetaldehyde, a known toxin.
“High levels of acetaldehyde can cause facial flushing, headaches, and nausea,” explained Apramita Devi, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis.
Headaches affect nearly 16% of the global population daily. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages can frequently cause headaches.
The researchers highlighted that while flavanols like quercetin are present in both red and white wines, their concentration is significantly higher in red wines, potentially explaining the greater incidence of headaches with red wine consumption.
Factors such as sunlight exposure, grape skin contact during fermentation, and aging can influence quercetin levels in red wine. “We postulate that susceptible individuals, especially those with preexisting migraine or other primary headache conditions, may develop headaches even with modest quercetin intake,” stated Morris Levin, a neurology professor and director of the Headache Centre at UC San Francisco.
The team believes they are on the verge of solving a long-standing mystery. “The next step is to test it scientifically on people who develop these headaches, so stay tuned,” Levin announced, with a small clinical human trial planned at UC San Francisco.
