Red Wine & Eczema
Highest histamine of any common beverage, plus alcohol that triggers more histamine release while blocking the body's ability to break it down. Classic pattern: wine in the evening, eczema flare by morning.
4/5
Reaction Timeline
Flushing, itching, and nasal congestion within 30 minutes. Eczema worsening within hours. The DAO-impairing effect means red wine can worsen reactions to OTHER histamine-rich foods eaten at the same meal (cheese, cured meats — the classic dinner party combination).
How Much Is Needed To React?
Half a glass of red wine is very different from a full bottle. But the DAO-impairing effect means even moderate red wine consumption makes you more reactive to all other histamine sources at that meal. A glass of red wine with a charcuterie board is one of the highest-histamine combinations possible.
Does Preparation Matter?
Histamine is heat-stable — cooking with red wine does NOT remove histamine. Older/aged wines tend to have higher histamine. Natural/organic wines may have different biogenic amine profiles but are not necessarily lower in histamine. Some winemakers add DAO enzyme products to reduce histamine, but these are not widely available. [16]
Also Watch Out For...
White wine — lower histamine but higher sulfites [16]
Beer — also contains histamine from fermentation
Aged cheese — combined histamine load at same meal
Salami — combined histamine load
Other fermented foods — cumulative histamine
What To Use Instead
Vodka or gin (distilled spirits have minimal histamine — mix with low-histamine mixers)
Non-alcoholic wine (check for sulfites)
Kombucha (note: fermented, may contain histamine itself — test carefully)
Sparkling water with fruit (if abstaining from alcohol)
Hidden Sources
Red wine vinegar (high histamine — used in dressings, marinades)
Red wine in cooking sauces (coq au vin, beef bourguignon — histamine survives cooking)
Mulled wine
Sangria
Port and sherry
Some balsamic vinegars (aged, grape-based)
Red wine extract supplements (resveratrol)
