Chiropractic and Headaches - How Does Red Wine Link to Migraines?

In a latest research, red wine can be a trigger for migraines, although not for everyone and not all the time. Tannins, the component in red wine that gives the rich coloring and mouth puckering effect are said to be responsible in causing headaches.

In a small study, 33 participants, all regular wine drinkers who believed that the wine triggered migraines in the past, were provided 375ml of a Malbec, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot wine from South America at least 4 days apart. Most participants reported having migraine at least once within 12 hours of drinking wine, some wines turned out to be more responsible than others in causing headaches, particularly Tannat and Malbec. These two has high tannin content.

The color and sharp taste in red wines provided by tannins come from grape skins. Aside from wines, tannins are also found in other foods such as cheese, nuts, and tea.

During digestion, tannins tend to bind starches. They prevent these starches to be used for producing serotonin. If serotonin levels reduce significantly, the blood vessels in the brain swell, which then causes migraine.

When a person gets migraines, he/she may also experience nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. Some people have warning symptoms, called aura, before the actual headache starts. An aura is a collection of symptoms which includes vision disturbances, indicating that a bad headache is about to occur.

Millions of Americans miss work, social gatherings, and important family activities all because of migraine. While pain relievers suppress discomfort with only just a short time, chiropractic is way more helpful in eliminating migraines.

It has been known that red wine is a migraine trigger, yet drinking in smaller quantities or choosing the ones with low tannin content can help lower the risk. But if a person suffers persistent headaches, seeing a chiropractor is a good option.

Chiropractic treatment provides holistic care to migraine sufferers. Not only does it get rid of the painful headache, it also greatly contributes to the overall wellness of a person. A chiropractor identifies the tensions in the muscles and then gently applies manipulation technique to the spine so that muscles are soothed to relax.

In a study, it has been shown that chiropractic adjustments can lower the occurrences of migraine as well as its duration and severity. It also appears that chiropractic treatment is a better option than prescription medicines due to its safety in terms of side effects and the long term relief it provides.

So if you are a regular wine drinker and you often experience migraine headaches, chances are the wine you are drinking may be the reason why. Rather than taking pain killers that only mask the pain, it is worth seeing a chiropractor if you have persistent headaches. For a long time, you won't be having headaches again and you can resume to your usual activities without worries.