red wine
Beverages
Is red wine high in sulfites?
Find out whether red wine is high or low in sulfites, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
Related checkers
Compare red wine across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why sulfites food checker matters
Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
- Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
- Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for 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
Explore related in Beverages
Compare similar foods to build a personalized list of swaps that work for your system.
Sulfites Guide
Everything you need to know about sulfites sensitivity and smart food choices.
Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
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 Sulfites sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in sulfites and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Sulfites, consider these strategies:
- 1Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
- 2Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
- 3Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
- 4Check medication labels - some contain sulfites
- 5Look for 'contains sulfites' on labels (required above 10ppm)
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 Sulfites?
Sulfites: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.
Can I still eat red wine if I'm sensitive to Sulfites?
Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.
What else should I check?
Check Histamine, Paleo AIP, and Salicylates next for a fuller picture.