After a glass or two of wine, many people find that their cheeks turn red and a very obvious blush has creeped across their neck and chest. Some people even experience itching and headaches after just one drink.
The true term for a red glow that develops after a frothy or two is ‘alcohol flush reaction’ and scientists estimate that at least 540 million people worldwide experience it. There is a science behind this phenomenon, and the key to stopping those rosy reactions is by identifying the one of three causes most likely to cause it.
In winemaking, an ingredient called sulfites are used to prevent oxidation and bacterial spoilage. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to sulfites resulting in skin irritation and headaches. It’s best to avoid any wine wearing the label ‘contains sulfites’ if this is the case for you.
Rosacea as a result of drinking alcohol is more common among people with fair skin, and of northern European heritage. In fact, even if you don’t suffer from rosacea in general, if you find your cheeks turning red after eating alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods or drinking a hot beverage, then it’s a safe bet that you’re susceptible to rosacea and the alcohol is dilating the blood vessels in your cheeks.
Sometimes, the alcohol flush reaction is caused by a deficiency of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, which is an enzyme that appears in the human body. This enzyme helps to break down acetaldehyde – a substance found in alcohol. When the gene is lacking in efficiency, acetaldehyde can build up in your body, leading to an alcohol intolerance, causing that red blush. Other signs that this is the cause of your rosy face are symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea and vomiting when consuming alcohol.
Now, the next time you make a wine selection, you can do so armed with the knowledge to avoid that rosy glow.
You might also like:
5 reasons to start drinking wine from a can
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The 5 new types of wine you need to know about
Want to know how to tell if your wine has gone bad? Watch the video below.
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