Back to Tyramine food checker
red wine

red wine

Beverages

Is red wine high in tyramine?

Tyramine status
High

Find out whether red wine is high or low in tyramine, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.

Sensitivity notes

Why tyramine food checker matters

Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.

  • Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
  • Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
  • Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications

Triggers

HistamineAvoid
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
GlutenSafe
LactoseSafe
Dairy ProteinsSafe
NightshadesSafe
SalicylatesHigh
OxalatesSafe
NickelSafe
SulfitesAvoid
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe
TyramineHigh
CaffeineSafe
LectinSafe
Low FermentationSafe

Diets

GlutenFit
InflammationFit
VeganFit
VegetarianFit
Paleo AIPAvoid
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
EoE CompatibleFit
FODMAPsAvoid
Low FermentationFit
Priority ingredient notes

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

Learn More

Tyramine Guide

Everything you need to know about tyramine sensitivity and smart food choices.

Tyramine is an amino acid that forms when proteins break down. It's found in aged, fermented, or spoiled foods. For people taking MAO inhibitors or those with tyramine sensitivity, it can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and other reactions.

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 Tyramine sensitivity:

View all safe options

These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:

If you're sensitive to Tyramine, consider these strategies:

  • 1Choose fresh over aged, fermented, or preserved foods
  • 2Eat protein foods fresh and store properly
  • 3Be especially careful if taking MAO inhibitor medications
  • 4Common high-tyramine foods include aged cheese, cured meats, and soy sauce
  • 5Ripeness affects tyramine - choose less ripe fruits

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.

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FAQ

Is red wine high in Tyramine?

Tyramine: higher signal - consider smaller servings or swaps.

Can I still eat red wine if I'm sensitive to Tyramine?

Best to avoid or test carefully with a small amount.

What else should I check?

Check Histamine, Sulfites, and Paleo AIP next for a fuller picture.