Researchers may have solved age-old mystery of red wine headaches

For the Greek philosopher Celsus, wine was the answer to endless ailments, from fatigue and fever to coughs and constipation. But despite its convenient healing powers, the grape, he conceded to his faithful readers, could bring about the odd headache.

- Ian Sample

Now, researchers believe they have hit on the reason why wine-red wine, in particular - causes such swift and undeserved headaches. When the liver breaks down a particular ingredient, it produces a substance that has the same effects as a drug used to make alcoholics feel dreadful if they drink.

"We think we are finally on the right track toward explaining this millennia-old mystery," said Morris Levin, the director of the Headache Center at the University of California, San Francisco. "The next step is to test it scientifically on people who develop these headaches." Red wine headaches are a different beast from the hangover variety the morning after the night before.

Rather than coming on after a lengthy session, they can strike 30 minutes after drinking only one small glass.

Since Celsus's time, researchers have eyed all manner of red wine compounds in their search for the culprit. Tannins, sulphites, phenolic flavonoids and biogenic amines have all come under suspicion. So far, none has been nailed as a clear trigger.