Most often, symptoms such as shortness of breath, headaches, skin rash are associated with the exacerbation of asthma, urticaria and rhinitis due to alcohol intake. The fact is that alcohol dilates blood vessels, and this forms the basis for the occurrence of such reactions.
But still, this is not an allergy, but intolerance to alcohol. Unlike allergies, which affect the body’s immune system, intolerance occurs when there is a lack of enzymes needed to digest and eliminate alcohol.
Most often, alcohol intolerance occurs in people when drinking red wine. This is followed by whiskey, beer and other wines. Often the reason lies not in alcohol molecules, but in special chemicals – congeners.
Congeners are responsible for the aroma, taste and composition of the drink. So can they cause unpleasant bodily reactions in humans?
Alcoholic beverages contain various substances that have side effects. First of all, it is histamine. It is found in large amounts in red wines and can cause headaches, flushing, nasal symptoms, intestinal upset, and asthma.
Sulfur dioxide, commonly found in home-brewed beer and wine, causes shortness of breath in about one in 10 asthmatics in response to sulfites. When it comes to supplements, tartrazine and sodium benzoate can be potential triggers for hives and asthma.
If all alcoholic beverages cause unpleasant symptoms in a person, this may indicate that the body is overreacting to alcohol or an exacerbation of some disease.
News materials cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
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