People with migraine who want to drink wine may find the sweet kind helps spare them headaches, researchers have reported.
A Spanish study has found a strong link between red wine and headaches – but a much weaker link with sweet wine.
The findings were being reported to a conference of the European Headache and Migraine Trust in London, UK.
They come from a study of 400 patients who attended a weekly headache clinic. About half suffered from chronic migraine.
About 40% linked wine to headaches – including 60% of those who drank red wine. Just 32% of those who drank sweet wine linked the drink to their headaches.
Wendy Thomas, of the Migraine Trust, said: "Large numbers of migraine sufferers have given up the pleasure of drinking wine either after experiencing or fearing headaches.
"But this important study indicates that not all wines have the same effect. People who have suffered headaches after drinking red wine may find sweet or white wine a suitable alternative."
* A second study reported to the conference find high rates of headaches among some elite athletes.
Researchers in Plymouth, UK, questioned tennis players and horse riders. About 57% said their performance was limited by headaches.
The study was undertaken at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth and at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh’s faculty of sport medicine.
Ms Thomas said: "This research shows that headache may be an under-addressed issue in our elite athletes. Healthcare professionals working in sports medicine may find that paying greater attention to the impact and management of headache disorders would improve the performance of leading athletes under their care."
* Another study at the conference will identify the source of migraine in the brain.
Professor Peter Goadsby, based in San Francisco, USA, said changes in the brainstem and the hypothalamus herald a migraine attack.
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