{"id":119056,"date":"2025-03-18T09:00:34","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T09:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test10.co.za\/C\/?p=119056"},"modified":"2025-03-18T12:14:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T12:14:37","slug":"the-truth-about-natural-wines-and-hangovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test10.co.za\/C\/the-truth-about-natural-wines-and-hangovers\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Natural Wine Really Spare You the Hangover?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rumour has it that natural wine is the guilt-free, no-hangover alternative to conventional bottles. Some swear they can sip through a night of low-intervention wines and wake up fresh, but others aren\u2019t so lucky. Before you go bragging about your heightened tolerance at the dinner table, get the lowdown on natural wines and hangovers.<\/p>\n

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If you want answers, go to the real culprits: ethanol (AKA alcohol), congeners (byproducts of wine fermentation), sulfites and sugar.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Natural Wine vs. Regular Wine<\/h4>\n

Natural wine is made with minimal intervention \u2013 no added sugars, minimal sulfites (or none at all) and no lab-designed yeasts. Conventional wines, on the other hand, can include a range of additives to control flavour, texture and stability. Because natural wines typically contain fewer additives and lower sulfite levels, some believe they result in a cleaner, gentler drinking experience sans the dreaded hangover.<\/p>\n

We desperately wish this myth were true, but let\u2019s be clear: natural wine still contains alcohol\u00a0\u2013 the primary cause of hangovers. No matter how organic or low-intervention a bottle is, drink enough, and you\u2019re still in for a rough morning.<\/p>\n

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The Hangover Equation<\/h3>\n

Hangovers are as old as wine itself. While dehydration often causes hangovers, active ingredients also contribute. If you want answers, go to the real culprits: ethanol (AKA alcohol), congeners (byproducts of wine fermentation), sulfites and sugar.<\/p>\n

Ethanol is the main reason you feel terrible after one too many, as your liver breaks it down into acetaldehyde \u2013 a toxin that your body struggles to process in large amounts. Then there are congeners, naturally occurring compounds that give wine its character but also contribute to headaches and nausea. If you love a good red, note that darker, richer wines tend to have more congeners than lighter ones.<\/p>\n

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Sulfites, which prevent oxidation and bacterial spoilage in winemaking, help to stabilise and extend the shelf life of the wine. They are also often blamed for headaches, but scientific studies show they\u2019re unlikely to cause hangovers unless you\u2019re allergic or show sensitivity. Lastly, sugar content matters \u2013 sweet wines can spike your blood sugar, leading to that crash-and-burn feeling the next morning.<\/p>\n

While natural wines don\u2019t contain excessive amounts of these hangover enablers, they do contain alcohol. If you’re still convinced that natural wines are hangover-free, there might be other factors worth considering…<\/p>\n

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Feel Fine After Drinking Natural Wine?<\/h4>\n

Hear us out \u2013 there may be a psychological element at play. If you believe a wine is purer and healthier, you might expect to feel better after drinking it. But there are a few more tangible reasons why some people report fewer hangover symptoms:<\/p>\n