Why is wine making me sick all of a sudden?

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 10% of the population experiences some form of wine intolerance, and it's possible to develop it suddenly, even after years of problem-free drinking. You might be asking, "Why is wine making me sick all of a sudden?" as your body's reaction to your favorite glass of wine shifts unexpectedly.

Quick Summary

Sudden wine sickness can result from histamine or sulfite sensitivities, underlying health issues, or genetic changes affecting alcohol metabolism. Aging, new medications, and even environmental factors can trigger these new intolerances. Learning to identify triggers and manage your consumption can help you feel better.

Key Points

Sudden Intolerance: A new reaction to wine often stems from an acquired intolerance rather than a rare true allergy.
Histamine is a Common Culprit: High histamine levels, especially in red wine, can cause headaches, flushing, and digestive issues in sensitive individuals.
Consider Sulfite Sensitivity: While often blamed unfairly, sulfite sensitivity can cause asthma-like respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in some.
Aging Affects Metabolism: As the body ages, changes in metabolism and liver function can decrease alcohol tolerance.
Check Medications: Many common medications interfere with how your body processes alcohol, triggering sudden intolerance symptoms.
Organic May Help: Choosing organic wines can reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides and lower levels of additives, potentially reducing adverse reactions.
Underlying Conditions Can Be a Factor: New or worsening health issues, including autoimmune and gut conditions, can trigger sudden sensitivity to wine.
A Dose-Dependent Issue: Often, the severity of the reaction is related to the amount consumed, with moderation being a key management strategy.

Unexpected Alcohol Intolerance: The Changing Body

It's a perplexing and frustrating experience when a beverage you once enjoyed suddenly turns against you. Many people who have had no issues with wine for years report a sudden onset of symptoms like headaches, flushing, nausea, or digestive distress after just a glass. The shift often indicates a change within your body rather than a problem with the wine itself. The key is understanding the distinction between a true wine allergy, which is rare, and an intolerance or sensitivity, which is more common.

The Role of Histamines in Sudden Reactions

One of the most common culprits behind sudden wine sensitivity is histamine intolerance. Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical found in fermented foods and drinks, including wine. It's also a compound your body produces during an allergic response. While most people have an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO) that efficiently breaks down dietary histamine, an imbalance can occur. This can lead to an accumulation of histamine in the body, triggering allergy-like symptoms.

Red Wine's High Histamine Content: Red wines generally contain significantly higher levels of histamine than white wines, often explaining why some people react poorly to red but not white varieties.
DAO Enzyme Inhibition: Alcohol itself is known to inhibit DAO enzyme activity, further compounding the problem for those with a pre-existing or developing sensitivity.
Cross-Reaction: Consuming other histamine-rich foods like aged cheeses or cured meats alongside wine can overwhelm your body's ability to process histamine, leading to more pronounced symptoms.

Sulfite Sensitivity as a Hidden Trigger

Contrary to popular belief, sulfites are rarely the cause of the common wine headache, but they can trigger real and uncomfortable symptoms in some individuals. Sulfites are preservatives used in winemaking to prevent spoilage and oxidation.

Respiratory Symptoms: For those with a sulfite sensitivity, especially individuals with asthma, reactions often include wheezing, nasal congestion, or shortness of breath.
Digestive Upset: Sulfites can also contribute to digestive issues like cramps and diarrhea in sensitive individuals.
Not Just in Wine: If you react to sulfites, you would likely also have issues with other high-sulfite foods like dried fruits and some processed meats, making it an intolerance rather than a wine-specific issue.

Comparing Organic vs. Conventional Wine

For some, switching from conventional to organic wine can alleviate symptoms. Here's a comparison to help explain why:


Feature	Conventional Wine	Organic Wine	Benefit for Sensitive Drinkers
Pesticides	May contain residues from synthetic pesticides used in farming.	Prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides in grape growing.	Eliminates potential irritants from chemical residues.
Sulfites	Higher allowable limits for added sulfites.	Lower maximum limits for added sulfites; some have no added sulfites.	Reduced risk of triggering sulfite sensitivities.
Additives	Uses a wider range of approved additives, including animal-derived fining agents.	Restricts additives to natural or plant-based compounds; stricter production guidelines.	Avoids potential allergens from fining agents like egg whites or milk products.
Histamine	Varying histamine levels, potentially higher due to less hygienic processing.	Production guidelines and faster processing of healthy grapes minimize histamine formation.	Lower risk of histamine-related symptoms like flushing and headaches.

Other Factors Contributing to Sudden Intolerance

Beyond specific compounds in wine, several other bodily and lifestyle changes can contribute to a newfound intolerance:

Aging: As you get older, your body's metabolism changes. Liver function can become less efficient, and body composition shifts, both of which can alter how alcohol is processed and make you more sensitive to its effects.
Medications: Many medications, including antibiotics and pain relievers, can interfere with alcohol metabolism, leading to a sudden intolerance. Always check with a healthcare professional when starting new prescriptions.
Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions that affect the gut, such as autoimmune disorders or irritable bowel syndrome, can suddenly alter how your body reacts to wine's components. In rare cases, a sudden severe reaction to alcohol can indicate a more serious underlying issue like Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as those related to menopause, can affect the body's digestive enzymes and immune response.

Conclusion

Experiencing a sudden negative reaction to wine is a clear sign that something has changed in your body. It is often an intolerance to common compounds like histamine or sulfites, a metabolic shift due to aging or medication, or an indication of an underlying health condition. By tracking your symptoms, considering the switch to organic or low-histamine varieties, and consulting a doctor, you can determine the specific cause and decide on the best course of action. If symptoms are severe, or you suspect a true allergy, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial.

What To Do Next: A Practical Approach

Keep a Drink Diary: Note the type of wine (red, white, organic), amount consumed, and any accompanying foods to help identify specific triggers.
Experiment with Low-Histamine Wines: Try dry white wines, which are naturally lower in histamine than reds.
Consider Medication: If symptoms point to histamine sensitivity, an over-the-counter antihistamine taken beforehand may help, but always check for drug interactions.
Prioritize Hydration: Dehydration is a major factor in many alcohol-related issues, so drinking plenty of water is essential.
Talk to Your Doctor: For persistent or severe symptoms, or if you suspect an underlying health issue, a healthcare professional can provide guidance and confirm a diagnosis.

For more detailed information on understanding wine reactions, read up on the topic and explore resources like the Allergy UK website, which provides information on various intolerances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is possible to develop a wine or alcohol intolerance suddenly, even after years of having no issues. This can be caused by aging, hormonal shifts, new medications, or the development of sensitivities to certain compounds like histamines or sulfites.

Red wine often contains significantly higher levels of histamines than white wine because of the longer fermentation process with the grape skins. If you have a histamine intolerance, this higher concentration is more likely to trigger symptoms like headaches and flushing.

While sulfites can trigger reactions, particularly respiratory issues in asthmatics, they are not the primary cause of wine headaches for most people. Histamines, tannins, and other compounds are considered more likely culprits.

Yes, some people find relief by switching to organic or natural wines. Organic wines are made with lower levels of sulfites and without synthetic pesticides, which may reduce the chance of adverse reactions for some sensitive individuals.

A wine allergy is a rare immune system response to a specific component, like grapes or yeast, and can be severe. An intolerance is a more common metabolic reaction that occurs when your body cannot properly break down certain compounds in wine, leading to symptoms but not typically to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

While often related to common intolerances, any sudden and severe reaction should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. In very rare cases, intense pain after drinking alcohol could indicate a more serious underlying medical condition, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Start by keeping a detailed journal of your consumption and symptoms. Experiment with different types of wine, focusing on those naturally lower in histamines and sulfites, like dry white wines. Staying hydrated and eating before drinking can also help. For persistent issues, consult a doctor to rule out any underlying health problems.