Back to Polyols food checker
red wine
Beverages
Is red wine high in polyols?
Is red wine high or low in polyols? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Sensitivities
What red wine contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where red wine fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about red wine
Red wine is the textbook headache and flushing trigger because it stacks four things at once: it is very high in histamine, high in tyramine, high in sulfites and high in salicylates. Unlike beer it contains no gluten, so the reaction is not a gluten problem, it is the fermented amine and sulfite load. This is why a single glass of red can bring on a flushed face, blocked nose or a pounding head while a clear spirit does not.
Watch for
- Very high in histamine and high in tyramine, the pairing most often blamed for red-wine headache, flushing and nasal congestion
- High in sulfites, added as a preservative, which can trigger wheeze or headache separately from the histamine
- High in salicylates from the grape skins, a further trigger if you react to aspirin or salicylate-rich foods
- Gluten-free, so if beer bothers you but red wine also does, gluten is not the shared cause
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Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is red wine high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat red wine if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Sulfites, and AIP next for a fuller picture.