Port

Port sensitivity arises from sulfites, histamines, or high sugar levels. Avoid it for 8 weeks, try substitutes like dry red wine or alcohol-free options, and support your system with probiotics, milk thistle, and turmeric to reduce inflammation.

🍷 What is Port?

Port is a fortified wine originating from Portugal, made by adding distilled grape spirit to halt fermentation, retaining sweetness. It is often rich, sweet, and available in styles like ruby, tawny, and vintage.

🤔 Why Do I Have an Intolerance to Port and Its Components?

Your intolerance to port may stem from:

Sulfites: Used as preservatives, sulfites in port can trigger headaches, nasal congestion, or skin reactions.
Histamines: Naturally present in fermented products, histamines can cause headaches, flushing, or digestive issues.
Ethanol: The alcohol in port can irritate the gut, liver, or nervous system in sensitive individuals.
Sugar Content: Port’s high residual sugar can worsen symptoms for those with sugar sensitivities.
Congeners: Byproducts of fermentation and aging, particularly in tawny or vintage ports, can exacerbate symptoms like headaches or nausea.

If you tolerate other alcoholic drinks, it could be due to lower sulfite levels, histamines, or sugar content in those beverages.

🛠️ What Can I Do About It?

To manage your sensitivity to port:

Avoid port for 8 weeks: Remove it completely from your diet during this period.
Reintroduce and retest: Gradually reintroduce port after 8 weeks to check for symptoms.
Choose alternatives: Opt for dry wines or spirits with lower sugar and sulfite levels.
Track symptoms: Keep a food and drink journal to monitor changes and identify triggers.

💊 Supplements to Support Intolerance to Port and Inflammation from Alcohol

These supplements can help ease symptoms and support your system:

Probiotics: Balances gut health and reduces inflammation caused by food and drink triggers.

Milk thistle: Protects and detoxifies the liver from the effects of alcohol.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine): Supports the liver’s detoxification processes.
Turmeric (curcumin): A natural anti-inflammatory to alleviate discomfort.

Activated charcoal: May help absorb toxins and reduce the impact of alcohol on the body.
Electrolyte supplements: Helps replenish lost minerals and hydration.

🤔 Why Do I Have an Intolerance to Port and Not Other Alcoholic Drinks or Wines?

Your intolerance to port but not other alcoholic beverages or wines may result from the following unique characteristics:

Sulfite Levels: Port often contains higher levels of sulfites than many dry wines or spirits, as they are used to preserve its sweetness and extend shelf life.
Residual Sugar: The high sugar content in port is uncommon in dry wines or other alcoholic drinks, making it more likely to trigger symptoms in sugar-sensitive individuals.
Congeners: Aged ports, such as tawny or vintage, have higher levels of congeners (byproducts of fermentation and aging), which can contribute to symptoms like headaches or nausea.
Fortification with Distilled Spirits: The added distilled grape spirit used to fortify port increases its alcohol content, which might exacerbate sensitivity compared to unfortified wines.
Histamines: Port’s fermentation and aging process result in higher histamine levels than some other wines, which can cause flushing, headaches, or digestive discomfort.

These factors make port more likely to trigger symptoms compared to other wines or alcoholic beverages.

🍹 Popular Drinks Involving Port

Port and tonic
Port spritzer
Port sangria
Ruby port cocktail

🥥 Alternatives to Port

Dry red wine
Sherry
Madeira
Alcohol-free wine substitutes
Light-bodied spirits like gin or vodka