Researchers may have discovered why people get a "red wine headache"

BOSTON - Many of us will be reaching for that "bottle of red" on Thanksgiving Day, but some will suffer soon after with a throbbing headache.

Scientists may now have a clue why.

The so-called "red wine headache" can occur within 30 minutes to three hours after drinking even a small amount.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered that a flavanol found naturally in red wines can interfere with the proper metabolism of alcohol which can lead to a headache, as well as nausea and flushing.

The compound is an antioxidant which can have health benefits but when combined with alcohol, it can cause a problem.

Scientists will now launch a small clinical trial to see whether wines with more or less of this flavanol trigger red wine headaches in humans.

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

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