Fall in Michigan is an exciting time for plenty of reasons: crisp air, colorful leaves, trips to the apple orchard, and for many of us, it’s wine tasting season. There’s nothing cozier than throwing on your favorite sweater and sipping a glass of wine, but it’s important to know that it often doesn’t take much to have you feeling it the next morning. When it comes to wine, it’s not necessarily overindulgence or drinking excessively that leads to a hangover. 

Wine is notorious for its hangover inducing power, caused by various components of the wine itself. Although the exact cause of wine hangovers is debated, several compounds are thought to contribute. These factors, along with the alcohol itself, can cause dehydration, headaches, nausea, congestion, and fatigue. The moral of the story is that you may feel hungover even if you’ve only had a glass or two of wine. 

What’s causing your hangover?

Acetaldehyde - this toxic compound is the first breakdown product in the process of alcohol metabolism. When alcohol consumption exceeds the rate of normal metabolism, acetaldehyde accumulates in the liver and has been associated with some of the most common hangover symptoms, including headache and nausea.

Tyramine - an amino acid and byproduct of fermentation, tyramine initially causes constriction followed by dilation of blood vessels. This process can lead to a change in blood pressure, causing headaches.

Histamines - a naturally occurring compound in the body that is released during allergic reactions and is also found in many fermented products including wine. Histamines are responsible for allergy-like symptoms such as flushing, sneezing, congestion, and headache.

Tannins - found in the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes, tannins cause the mouth drying effects of wine. Present in higher levels in red than white wines, tannins do not cause headaches for most people but can cause vasodilation and headaches for those with tannin intolerance. 

Prostaglandins - a hormone-like compound found in most animal tissues as well as wine, prostaglandins are known to contribute to pain and inflammation which can cause headaches.

RevIVed Hydration is here to help you maximize your health and feel your best. Fueling up with IV hydration such as the Energy Drip before a day of wine tasting is a great way to set yourself up for success by ensuring you are well hydrated before heading to the winery. If you find yourself not feeling your best the next day, our Hangover Drip has the fluid you need to replenish your depleted hydration status along with energy boosting B-vitamins, anti-nausea medication, anti-inflammatory pain medication for your headache, and antacid to settle your upset stomach. Of course we encourage safe and responsible drinking, but in today’s world there’s no need to suffer from the ill effects of hangovers. Stop in or call for appointments and take back the day.