Wines to Drink or Avoid for Allergies, Headaches or Weight Loss - Laurie Forster | Wine Expert | Wine Coach | Wine Speaker (2024)

FAQs

What wine is good for people with allergies? ›

Least susceptible to causing the spring sniffles would be white wine (3-120 micrograms/liter) and rosé. As for natural, organic or biodynamic wines, those contain just as much histamines as their conventional counterparts.

Drink: Sauvignon Blanc

If drinking wine gives you symptoms like congestion or headaches it might just be histamines are the culprit. Try drinking dry whites like Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling wines like Cava or Prosecco as they are lower in histamines than red wines.

Pinot Noir and Merlot Have LOTS of Resveratrol

Specifically, it has incredibly high levels of resveratrol. Resveratrol is easily the most widely known polyphenol in wine. Its anti-inflammatory powers are so well studied it's even used in many cosmetics and dietary supplements.

The amount of histamine in white wine tends to be lower than in red wines. In general, white wines made from grapes typical to ripen late in the season contain less histamine than those made from early-ripening varieties. Some wineries also add yeast to accelerate fermentation to produce more alcohol and less acidity.

Drinks like red wine, white wine, cider, and beer may be more likely to set off allergy and asthma symptoms, whereas clear spirits like vodka and gin are thought to be more “allergy-friendly.” So stick with drinks that you know don't cause your allergies to flare and/or pick up a bottle of low-sulfite wine.

Clear spirits such as gin and vodka contain lower levels of sulphites and histamines. But this does not mean they will be safe for everyone with asthma. Be aware that soft drinks that are sometimes mixed with alcohol, like fizzy drinks and juices, can also contain sulphites and histamines.

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Well, we know that red wines from sunnier regions – those that need intense heat to ripen properly – are more likely to have higher quantities of quercetin, so avoiding wines like grenache, shiraz and malbec might be a good idea if you tend towards headaches (these wines tend anyway to be heavier and have a higher ...

RELATED: The Changes One Trainer Made to Lose Weight After Years of Diet and Exercise. Her low-cal picks for white wines are chardonnay, Riesling, white zinfandel, and sauvignon blanc, all of which are under 85 calories, 2.6 carbs, and one gram of sugar.

What is the most anti-inflammatory alcohol? ›

Common polyphenols in red wine

Potential health benefits of quercetin may include anti-inflammatory properties. Anthocyanin is another type of flavonoid that gives red wine its rich color and taste. It may help protect against cell stress and UV damage.

Sparkling, white and rosé wines all are lower histamine wines when compared to reds. And, it's not even a small difference. Red wine can have as much as 20–200% more histamine than white wine (refer to the table below)!

According to DrinkWell UK, red wine can contain 20% to 200% more histamine than white wine, meaning swapping your Pinot Noir for a Pinot Grigio may help to alleviate symptoms. As a general guide, red wine may have anywhere from 60mg-3,800mg of histamine.

However, for individuals prone to histamine intolerance or sensitivity, opting for low-histamine alcoholic options, such as clear spirits like vodka or gin, may help minimize adverse reactions.

For these reasons, many people with sulfite allergies avoid wine altogether: not even the greatest wine in the world is worth compromising health. However, luckily for those affected by sulfites, organic wine has come to the rescue, wearing a red cape and giving those allergic to regular wine a second chance.