5 Types of Wines That Don't Cause Headaches

Note: While research on alcohol is evolving, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drinking less or not at all is better for your health. Check out Everyday Health's coverage on alcohol for more information.

Many people choose to relax or celebrate with a glass of wine, but aren’t so keen on the pounding headache that hits them like a ton of bricks a few hours later or the morning after.

1. Tannins

Red wine is the biggest culprit when it comes to headaches because these vinos tend to contain more tannins, naturally occurring compounds found in the skin, seeds, and stems of the grape, says Nicole Avena-Blanchard, PhD, associate professor of neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and visiting associate professor of health psychology at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.

“Tannins tend to bind to starches in our bodies when we digest them, and this can cause serotonin levels to be lower in some individuals,” Dr. Avena-Blanchard says.

2. Chemicals in Wine

Another major reason why red wine causes headaches involves chemicals called histamines, which are found in the skins of both red and white grapes, though they are significantly more abundant in red grapes, Avena-Blanchard says. They can cause the blood vessels in your brain to dilate, resulting in headaches.

“Some people are sensitive to the histamines found in wine, particularly those who report a sensation of facial flushing when drinking wine,” says David Perlmutter, MD, neurologist, fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and author of ‌Drop Acid‌. “These people may also get headaches from other foods high in histamines like aged cheeses, fermented foods like sauerkraut, and processed or smoked meats.”

Some people may also be sensitive to another chemical found in wine — sulfites — though these are more associated with allergy and asthma symptoms. “Sulfites are compounds that act as preservatives in both red and white wines,” Dr. Perlmutter says. “Like histamine sensitivity, sulfite sensitivity can trigger a sense of flushing in addition to hives, upset stomach, rapid heartbeat, and headaches.”

Finally, recent research has highlighted the antioxidant compound quercetin. In other forms, quercetin is healthy, and some people even take it as a supplement. When you consume quercetin, a compound called quercetin glucuronide forms in the bloodstream. This can block the body from processing alcohol, which can lead to a buildup of a toxin called acetaldehyde and cause the flushing, headaches, and nausea that can sometimes make wine drinking uncomfortable.

3. Dehydration

“These dehydration headaches may follow wine consumption within hours, or they may manifest the next day as part of the morning hangover experience,” Perlmutter says.

With all that in mind, here are some of the wines that are least likely to cause a headache.

While this wine touts its low sugar content, it's worth noting that most red wines contain less than 1 gram (g) of sugar per glass. What's most impressive about FitVine is that its proprietary fermentation process also takes out more histamines, which means that you are less likely to get a headache after drinking responsibly, Avena-Blanchard says.

FitVine offers a wide selection of varietals, including pinot noir, zinfandel, rosé, chardonnay, and pinot grigio, and all are low in sulfites as well.

Those following a keto diet will also be glad to know that FitVine wines are all keto-friendly thanks to their low carb (and sugar) count. Each glass clocks in at just 4 g of carbs per serving — a great way to enjoy a robust wine flavor without sabotaging your diet or causing a headache.

Here's a certified organic wine that's actually low in sugar. In fact, it contains 0 g of sugar per serving. Even so, it remains full-bodied in flavor, with notes of blueberry and plum.

Lifevine was also the first winery in America to be certified as pesticide-free by the Clean Label Project, and the brand continues to have its wines lab-tested for optimal purity.

Perlmutter's go-to source for pure, natural wines is Dry Farm Wines. The company only houses varieties that are:

• Additive-free
• Lower in alcohol content
• Low in sugar, with less than 1 g per liter
• Much lower in sulfites
• Organically grown on family farms
• Tested for purity standards in a lab

Dry Farm Wines offers all varieties, all made without the 76 or so U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved additives found in wine, and the company sells them by the box — in sets of 6 or 12 on a subscription basis. All you have to do is choose your color, quantity, and frequency of deliveries.

Tannins occur naturally in wine, especially red wine, but they tend not to be kind to your head the following day. This wine is free of tannins, and that's because grapes don’t play a role in the production process. Instead, the Free Range Flower Winery uses lavender flowers.

Yes, it’s possible to make wines from just flowers, by boiling the petals and then fermenting them with sugar and yeast. This wine is a soft rosé with a crisp and dry taste and notes of citrus and juniper.

In addition to being tannin-free, it's also low-carb and low-sugar without being low in alcohol, if that's important to you. It contains even more alcohol by volume than most others, at 13.5 percent. The flowers themselves are organic, which also makes the wine organic.

Despite its name, this wine is anything but usual. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Aside from its unique appearance, Usual wines are all low in sulfites, thanks to the fact that they contain only what naturally occurs in their wines, with no additives.

Usual wines also contain no sugar and come in single-serve bottles, making it easy to limit your intake. In other words, you don't have to worry about the wine going bad the way you would if you had opened up a standard bottle of wine that contains multiple glasses' worth.

This fun pack includes a mix of the company's varieties, from a dry, sparkling brut to a bright, fruity red. It's a great way to enjoy a Sonoma-caliber wine without the pesky additives and chemicals.

The Takeaway

• Wine headaches can occur due to dehydration, tannins, and certain chemicals, such as histamines, sulfites, and quercetin.
• If wine often gives you headaches, opting for types low in tannins, sulfites, and histamines may help reduce that risk. Organic wines can also be a good choice for ensuring this.
• Options made without grapes, such as lavender wines, can help to reduce exposure to tannins.
• If regular headaches occur outside of wine consumption and become disruptive, consult a healthcare professional.