Scientists say mystery of how red wine headaches occur may be solved

[helvella]

Thought this could be relevant on at least two grounds:

First, so many members say they have issues tolerating alcoholic drinks, especially red wine. And it is specifically in this respect that I am posting. Not ordinary excessive drinking.

Second, there are numerous posts here which advocate taking quercetin!

This search of the forum will only find some posts:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Scientists say mystery of how red wine headaches occur may be solved

Researchers home in on phenolic flavonoids as culprit for headaches that come on soon after a glass or two

…

The researchers, including Prof Andrew Waterhouse, an expert in viticulture at the University of California, Davis, ran lab tests on more than a dozen compounds in red wine. One stood out. A flavanol called quercetin, found almost exclusively in red wine, is processed in the body into various substances. One of these, quercetin glucuronide, turned out to be particularly effective at blocking the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde into acetate.

theguardian.com/science/202...

I’m not coming down on either side - but it is an interesting question.

This search finds 94 papers which mention quercetin and hypothyroid. Having a good browse and tell us what you think.

europepmc.org/search?query=...

Cheers

[helvella]

For those who can access BBC Sounds podcasts, this program discusses the red wine headache issue.

Cyber attacks, red wine headaches and Parkinson’s disease

5 Live Science Podcast

26 November 2023

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs,

In this week's episode... a damning indictment of our politician’s grasp of science emerges from the COVID enquiry. We’ll ask who is behind the high-profile cyber attacks on the British Library and how researchers got to the bottom of why some of us get red wine headaches. Plus we find out what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s disease and what is science revealing about why it happens and what we can do to make life more bearable.

bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gvqkgw

[CapnM]

I read this and am someone who can not process alcohol since about the time of developing Hashi. My first reaction was well its only covering red wine so cant apply to me then I thought well it mainly red wine I used to drink but my hazy memory thinks I have suffered with beer and odd gin and tonic too in past. Part of me wanted to experiment but the last time I drank was a cheeky sip of my mothers wine glass. I woke up to running up and down the garden with head exploding, in a mess and dry retching and was sick for next 2 days. Then I remember I quite like not drinking any more.

[Hidden]

I haven't had red wine for many years (it causes rhuematism in my hands) and so, recent years' reactions to 1 glass of white wine with a meal has been parallel to the decline in my thyroid function.

By the way, I understood quercetin (from a number of websites) as being contained in many sources:

"Quercetin is a plant flavonol from the flavonoid group of polyphenols. It is found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, seeds, and grains; capers, red onions, and kale are common foods containing appreciable amounts of it.[2][3] It has a bitter flavor and is used as an ingredient in dietary supplements, beverages, and foods."

Whereas, Prof Andrew Waterhouse et al are quoted as stating" "A flavanol called quercetin, found almost exclusively in red wine...".

Am I missing something?

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

I think the Professor meant that within wine it is almost exclusively found in red wines! Even then, I think he meant us to interpret that as being found in substantial quantities - low levels are found across many wines.

But it really needed that to be stated clearly.

Yes - it is common.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Right you are, helvella.

[Brightness14]

Interesting, I drink red wine a small glass once or twice a week. I have never had a headache in my life from anything I am one of those lucky people.

My daughter, however, gets a headache from one glass of red wine. She hasn't a thyroid problem and I am without one.

The headache nerve was missed when I was forming in the womb, for which I am so grateful.

I usually but the cheap red as I live in France.

[helvella in reply to Brightness14]

Somewhere it did say cheap stuff has less quercetin than good stuff!

[Brightness14]

Of course, I never thought of that. I will stick with the cheap one then.

[foxglove]

Not just red wine and a different prob. Does alcohol i general cause stomach bleed? Thank you

[helvella in reply to foxglove]

I don't know. I doubt a modest quantity of wine, beer or similar would do so. But spirits might be different.

[foxglove in reply to helvella]

Thanks for reply - probably ok in moderation (as usual)