Unraveling the Mystery of Red Wine Headaches

Scientists believe they may have discovered why red wine, in particular, can cause swift and undeserved headaches. Researchers have identified a flavanol called quercetin, found almost exclusively in red wine, which blocks the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde into acetate. This leads to a buildup of toxic acetaldehyde in the bloodstream, causing headaches, nausea, facial flushing, and sweating. The team plans to conduct a clinical trial to further test their theory and potentially help people choose red wines that are less likely to cause headaches.