Why do I get worse hangovers from wine than from liquor? Any advice to avoid this?

Answers (3)

Kathleen Bundy, MS RD CLT (Registered Dietitian) answered (7/12/2012)

You may be reacting to sulfites or tyramine in wine. Sulfites are naturally occurring and also added to most wines, some organic wines have very low sulfite content. Sulfites keep things from browning (dried fruit, frozen shredded potatoes, seafood, etc) so pay attention if any other sulfite-containing foods give you problems. Tyramine is a product of fermentation, it is particularly high in wines and other fermented foods such as aged cheeses, beer, over-ripe bananas and avocados, sauerkraut, etc. It is a common migraine trigger.

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Avital answered (11/9/2011)

I'm currently completing my sommelier certification and have noticed that when I drink bad quality wine, my hangovers are much much worse. Similarly, drinking bad quality liquor also leaves me with a very "difficult" morning.... Drinking higher priced and higher quality wine and spirits will not leave you feeling as heavy at the end of the night. My advice: buy better quality

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Molly P answered (7/4/2012)

I recently discovered I suffer from the common/proverbial "red wine headache"—only when I drink red wines that have especially high tanin content. When drinking low-tanin red wines (pinot noir, san giovese for example), no headache. When drinking wines with higher tanin content—cabernet, merlot—I can get a headache after a single buzz. See if you share this mild allergy by comparing how you feel after these different types of wine.