Research from Florence Italy, published in the Journal of Headache Pain seems to contradict the long-standing belief that alcohol is a major trigger of migraine headaches.
But for those of you who become Irish for the day and want to partake in the fun, even if you are a migraine sufferer, the research seems to indicate that a moderate amount of alcohol is probably not the cause of many migraine attacks.
Though many articles talk about alcohol as a migraine trigger, there is actually very little scientific data confirming this.
RED WINE TRIGGER?
For those of you who DO get migraines from red wine, it may have more to do with some of the other chemicals in red wine, than its alcohol content.
But, the bottom line is, if you know red wine gives you migraines, avoid consuming it and try white wine instead.
If you’re not sure about other alcoholic drinks, try a small amount and see how you respond. You may find, that the alcohol has little or nothing to do with your migraine attacks.
AVOIDING HANGOVERS
If you do consume too much alcohol, some studies indicate that chemicals in asparagus may reduce the side effects of a hangover. Other studies have found that taking a tablespoon of Evening Primrose Oil and a teaspoon of a probiotic powder may help to avoid hangover symptoms in many people. A good rule is to drink a glass of water (or another non-alcoholic beverage) between drinks, and to have at least one big glass of water before going to sleep.
Enjoy the holiday!
Curt Hendrix, M.S., C.C.N., C.N.S.
