How Switching to Organic Low Sulphite Wine Could Improve Your Health

23 November 2012

How Switching to Low Sulphite Wines Could Improve Your Health

Have you ever drank a glass of wine and experienced a wine headache or had difficulty breathing? This is a very common complaint amongst wine drinkers however a lot of people don’t stop and think what could be causing it. The answer could be contained on the label on the back of your wine bottle. There are a range of organic low sulphite wines on the market which provide drinkers with peace of mind that the wine they are drinking is not causing a harmful allergic reaction in their bodies. If you think that you could suffer from a sulphite allergy it is important you understand why sulphites are used in wines in the first place.

Why are Sulphites Used in Wine Production?
Sulphur is used in the wine making process primarily as an antioxidant and sterilising agent and has been used as a preservative since Roman times. Low sulphite wines that are produced in sterile conditions and are stored properly usually contain very little sulphites but mass-produced wines are not usually well known for being produced in the best conditions and it is not surprising that there is a risk of a higher concentration of sulphites contained in these wines. The smaller the wine production scale the less likely that the wine does not contain a mysterious cocktail of sulphites and chemicals and even though these can a be a little more expensive than your standard mass-produced wines it comes with peace of mind and health benefits for the consumer.

Warning Signs that you are Sensitive to Sulphites
It is common for individuals who experience sulphite sensitivity to experience asthma like reactions, such as a stuffy nose, congestion and difficulty breathing. Unsurprisingly people with asthma are most at risk of reacting to sulphites and it is advised that people exercise caution when consuming mass-produced wines if they exhibit these symptoms. There is also the “red wine headache” which causes a sufferer to experience headache symptoms often after fifteen minutes of drinking the wine which may be a possible sign of a sulphite allergy. However red wines are known to contain less sulphites compared to other types of wine and research indicates that another harmful chemical present in the process of wine production, tannin, could be the blame for this condition. You can still experience a hangover from drinking low sulphite wine as it still contains alcohol. Low sulphite wines contain natural antioxidants that help reduce health issues including heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes if consumed in moderation can actually be good for you.

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23 November 2012

How Switching to Low Sulphite Wines Could Improve Your Health