Joy Healey

The Connection Between Migraine and Wine



Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009

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Foods including milk, wheat, oranges and eggs were found to be connected to migraines, according to a 1979 study published in the prestigious Lancet journal(1). However, some substances aren't detected easily because they are hidden within foods or drinks.

"Red wine headache", sometimes referred to as RWH, is supposed to be caused by the yeast from the fermentation process. This is one of the most common instances of yeast related headaches. In 2007, Dr. Hennie van Vuuren, renowned for his studies at the University of British Colombia's Wine Research Centre, published his research on the genetically modified yeast known as ML01(2).

Van Vuuren first became interested because of his own migraines which he had determined were caused by red wine. He put much effort into tracking down the cause, and then engineered a yeast without the trigger compound. His efforts may take time to bear fruit, as "Wineries are hesitant to disclose the use of genetic enhancement due to public outcry", he said in an interview(3).

The fear is that wineries would find their products boycotted because of the genetic modification. The question is why it should be acceptable for genetically modified insulin to be used in the treatment of diabetes, yet unacceptable for migraine sufferers to alleviate their symptoms by drinking genetically modified wine.

A study conducted over a three year period questioned migraine patients about triggers. 28% reported sensitivity to beer, and another 11.8% to red wine (but not white wine, a different type of fermentation being used in these than in the red or in beer.) Nevertheless, anecdotally, when I was tested for food sensitivity, white wine, rather than red, was implicated as a slight problem for me.

Yeast is the culprit in many health problems, including female complaints which are often linked to migraines as well. Candida is the yeast in question, and a study done by the Immogenics corporation (which offers full range allergy testing called NOVO) found that the most common triggers for migraine sufferers were sugar (68%) and yeast (65%) - and that fully a third were sensitive to Candida(4).

Although wine is enjoyable, and red wine in moderation is said to be beneficial for health, it's not an essential dietary component, so well worth a trial exclusion period to see if there is any change in your migraines.

References:
(1) Food, Allergies and Migraine. Grant ECG, Lancet, May 5, 1979;966-969. 37344
(2) Hennie J.J. van Vuuren , ML01, Am. J. Enol. Vitic. 58:1:42-52 (2007)
(3) ML01, Dr. Hennie van Vuuren Interview at http://reignofterroir.com/2008/03/11/ml01-dr-hennie-van-vuuren-interview/
(4) Migraines: NOVO has Food for Thought

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Joy Healey qualified as a nutritionist in 2000, at the prestigious Institute for Optimum Nutrition in London.
You will find more articles on migraine and food intolerance if you subscribe to the free mini-course at: http://www.StopTheMigraineMadness.com
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