One of the biggest research studies on the topic was published in 2000 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The study from Australia asked more than 350 adults to fill out a questionnaire on their allergy triggers related to alcohol. The study's findings included:
- 33 percent said that alcohol had triggered an asthma attack on at least two occasions
- Wine was associated with being particularly allergenic
- The onset of most alcohol-related asthma symptoms occurred within 1 hour of drinking alcohol
- Most asthma symptoms reported were mild to moderate in severity
The researchers highlighted two components of some alcoholic beverages that appeared to be particularly allergenic and could contribute to an asthma attack: sulfites and histamines.
Sulfites are a preservative that is commonly used in making wine and beer, but also may be added to other food types. People with asthma are often especially sensitive to the effects of sulfites.
Another potentially allergy-causing substance in alcohol is called histamine. This compound is created when alcohol is fermented. Histamine is present in all alcohol types, including liquor, beer, and wine.
Histamines are common causes of allergic reactions - this is why some types of allergy medications are called antihistamines.