Red wine sends me to sleep...
Discussion
Literally, not figuratively!
I've noticed in the past couple of years that even a glass or two of red wine knocks me out, especially if I'm already a bit tired. Why is this? Didn't used to happen and doesn't happen with white wine, beer, spirits etc.
A few years ago, it seemed a lot of people got headaches from red wine so is it some additive or other? If so, can I avoid it by picking / avoiding certain regions or grapes etc?
I've noticed in the past couple of years that even a glass or two of red wine knocks me out, especially if I'm already a bit tired. Why is this? Didn't used to happen and doesn't happen with white wine, beer, spirits etc.
A few years ago, it seemed a lot of people got headaches from red wine so is it some additive or other? If so, can I avoid it by picking / avoiding certain regions or grapes etc?
I think the headache thing was linked to sulphites, which are used to stop the wine oxidising and going off during racking and bottling stages. some people are effected some are not, although this isnt limited to red wine (should be the same process in white). It may be linked to your drousiness as it can effect the respiratory system but its unlikely. try a bottle of low sulphite wine (most organic wines) and see if you still get sleepy.
king white zinfandel or some german ssday12 said:
Alcohol is alcohol however it is consumed.
It depresses the nervous system and therefore can make you sleepy.
The association with red wine is in your head, which will probably explain the sleepiness.
This true but not true.It depresses the nervous system and therefore can make you sleepy.
The association with red wine is in your head, which will probably explain the sleepiness.
Alcohol is alcohol and were the glass full of 100% alcohol what you say would be true.
But the alcohol is 'suspended' (do not flame me if it is the wrong word) in different bodies, in this case red wine. And the body is what makes alcoholic drinks different.
The wine is full of allsorts, tannins, sugars, antioxidants, impurities, starch and all manner of other things. It is said that the clearer the drink, the less nasty stuff there is to mess with your body. I do not know if this is true, but if it is then red wine is one of the darkest drinks out there and may be reacting with the OP.
dazco said:
This true but not true.
Alcohol is alcohol and were the glass full of 100% alcohol what you say would be true.
But the alcohol is 'suspended' (do not flame me if it is the wrong word) in different bodies, in this case red wine. And the body is what makes alcoholic drinks different.
The wine is full of allsorts, tannins, sugars, antioxidants, impurities, starch and all manner of other things. It is said that the clearer the drink, the less nasty stuff there is to mess with your body. I do not know if this is true, but if it is then red wine is one of the darkest drinks out there and may be reacting with the OP.
Not forgetting fusel alcohol which is believed to effect you in different (worse) ways to ethanol, these are commonly present in varying amounts in wine beer and cider depending on the fermentation conditions.Alcohol is alcohol and were the glass full of 100% alcohol what you say would be true.
But the alcohol is 'suspended' (do not flame me if it is the wrong word) in different bodies, in this case red wine. And the body is what makes alcoholic drinks different.
The wine is full of allsorts, tannins, sugars, antioxidants, impurities, starch and all manner of other things. It is said that the clearer the drink, the less nasty stuff there is to mess with your body. I do not know if this is true, but if it is then red wine is one of the darkest drinks out there and may be reacting with the OP.
Pete Franklin said:
Not forgetting fusel alcohol which is believed to effect you in different (worse) ways to ethanol, these are commonly present in varying amounts in wine beer and cider depending on the fermentation conditions.
Never even knew such a thing, but now I shall not forget it.I became interested in this when I got pissed on Morgan's spiced rum once. I thought my head was going to explode. Dirty stuff.
dazco said:
Never even knew such a thing, but now I shall not forget it.
I became interested in this when I got pissed on Morgan's spiced rum once. I thought my head was going to explode. Dirty stuff.
yep tends to occur when you ferment something at low ph and high temperatures. I think (but im not 100% sure) its why draft/ scrumpy cider seems to get you drunk quickly and lead to crippling hangovers.I became interested in this when I got pissed on Morgan's spiced rum once. I thought my head was going to explode. Dirty stuff.
dazco said:
sday12 said:
Alcohol is alcohol however it is consumed.
It depresses the nervous system and therefore can make you sleepy.
The association with red wine is in your head, which will probably explain the sleepiness.
This true but not true.It depresses the nervous system and therefore can make you sleepy.
The association with red wine is in your head, which will probably explain the sleepiness.
Alcohol is alcohol and were the glass full of 100% alcohol what you say would be true.
But the alcohol is 'suspended' (do not flame me if it is the wrong word) in different bodies, in this case red wine. And the body is what makes alcoholic drinks different.
The wine is full of allsorts, tannins, sugars, antioxidants, impurities, starch and all manner of other things. It is said that the clearer the drink, the less nasty stuff there is to mess with your body. I do not know if this is true, but if it is then red wine is one of the darkest drinks out there and may be reacting with the OP.
It's like when people say 'don't give me whisky, it makes me aggressive' Well simply whisky doesn't, it the alcohol in whisky.
It's one of the first things you learn when you go into AA, no drink is different effect wise, only socially and how your perceive the drink (and it's perceived effects).
Edited by sday12 on Monday 16th January 12:20
Thanks for the replies so far, everyone.
I don't think the effect is in my mind - I hoped by posting on here, others would say that they had noticed the same thing but that hasn't happened (yet), so I'll keep an open mind.
Also, the ABV isn't a factor because, as I said in the OP, white wine and spirits do not have the effect at all, regardless of ABV.
I still think the most likely cause is some additive which may affect me particularly for some reason and, as I also said, it has only come about in the past 2 or 3 years. Either the wine's changed or I have!
ETA Ah, Boobles has noticed the same thing! Any more?
Dazco - thanks for your input: I'll have a look at melatonin.
I don't think the effect is in my mind - I hoped by posting on here, others would say that they had noticed the same thing but that hasn't happened (yet), so I'll keep an open mind.
Also, the ABV isn't a factor because, as I said in the OP, white wine and spirits do not have the effect at all, regardless of ABV.
I still think the most likely cause is some additive which may affect me particularly for some reason and, as I also said, it has only come about in the past 2 or 3 years. Either the wine's changed or I have!
ETA Ah, Boobles has noticed the same thing! Any more?
Dazco - thanks for your input: I'll have a look at melatonin.
Edited by BuzzLightyear on Monday 16th January 12:18
sday12 said:
Yes, but these 'allsorts' as you say do not make you sleepy, alcohol does. Tannins mike give you a cracking hangover, but they don't knock you out.
It's like when people say 'don't give me whisky, it makes me aggressive' Well simply whisky doesn't, it the alcohol in whisky.
It's one of the first things you learn when you go into AA, no drink is different effect wise, only socially and how your perceive the drink (and it's perceived effects).
That is very wrong.It's like when people say 'don't give me whisky, it makes me aggressive' Well simply whisky doesn't, it the alcohol in whisky.
It's one of the first things you learn when you go into AA, no drink is different effect wise, only socially and how your perceive the drink (and it's perceived effects).
Edited by sday12 on Monday 16th January 12:18
The different drinks may have no difference on the drunkenness,or the brain, but they certainly have different affects on the body.
Dazco - I Googled melatonin in red wine as a result of your post and this Daily Soovy article popped up:
It tastes rather pleasant, is good for our health and may help us live longer.
But, if that isn't enough to convince you, scientists have come up with yet another excuse to enjoy a glass or two of red wine.
Research shows that drinking red wine may help us get to sleep more easily.
Grape skins - which are removed when making white wine - are bursting with melatonin, the hormone that keeps our body clocks in check and tells us when it is time to go to bed.
Wines particularly rich in the compound include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chianti.
The researchers, from the University of Milan, said their findings could explain why so many of us reach for a bottle of red wine to help us wind down after a long day.
Melatonin, which is produced by in our brains by the pea-like pineal gland, is also good for our health.
The hormone, which is also linked to libido and aging is a powerful anti-oxidant, mopping up harmful molecules called free radicals which are linked to cancer.
The researchers measured the amount of melatonin in the skins of eight varieties of grape grown in an Italian vineyard.
The level varied greatly, with the most melatonin found in Nebbiolo grapes, which are used to make Barolo and Barbaresco wines.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-391272/C...
I had been avoiding red wine due to the drowsiness, now I think I might buy some more...:cheers:
ETA D'oh! You're good!
It tastes rather pleasant, is good for our health and may help us live longer.
But, if that isn't enough to convince you, scientists have come up with yet another excuse to enjoy a glass or two of red wine.
Research shows that drinking red wine may help us get to sleep more easily.
Grape skins - which are removed when making white wine - are bursting with melatonin, the hormone that keeps our body clocks in check and tells us when it is time to go to bed.
Wines particularly rich in the compound include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chianti.
The researchers, from the University of Milan, said their findings could explain why so many of us reach for a bottle of red wine to help us wind down after a long day.
Melatonin, which is produced by in our brains by the pea-like pineal gland, is also good for our health.
The hormone, which is also linked to libido and aging is a powerful anti-oxidant, mopping up harmful molecules called free radicals which are linked to cancer.
The researchers measured the amount of melatonin in the skins of eight varieties of grape grown in an Italian vineyard.
The level varied greatly, with the most melatonin found in Nebbiolo grapes, which are used to make Barolo and Barbaresco wines.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-391272/C...
I had been avoiding red wine due to the drowsiness, now I think I might buy some more...:cheers:
ETA D'oh! You're good!
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