Wine and Hashimoto’s – Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

As many of you know, I am passionate about using food as medicine to recover from Hashimoto’s symptoms. I have written many times about the dietary changes I made in my own life that led to my recovery, and I’ve worked with countless other people with thyroid conditions who have been able to take back their own health, with the healing power of food.

While changing your diet in order to heal can seem restrictive at times, there are many ways that eating for thyroid health can still be fun and enjoyable. If you are far enough along in your recovery, you may even be able to throw in a glass of wine on occasion!

In fact, many people don’t realize that, just as there are specific foods that can be used to address symptoms of Hashimoto’s, there are many wines with particular qualities that pair exceptionally well with some of the most common symptoms.

During all my downtime in quarantine a few years ago, I spent hours running tests, going through bottle after bottle (and a few broken glasses) of wine, until I felt like I had landed on the perfect wines to pair with all of my thyroid symptoms.

The Best Wines for Common Thyroid Symptoms

So, I’ve put together a little “cheat sheet” of some of my favorite varietals of wine that I have found to be the most helpful when my Hashimoto’s symptoms flare up:

Fatigue – My go-to is a nice crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. I find that the bright acidity and flavors of green apple really wake me up on days when my energy levels are particularly low — or maybe it’s just that I no longer feel concerned about everything I’m not getting done. Either way, after a couple of glasses, and after the green apple flavors wear off, I can nap for hours, which makes me feel refreshed.

Irritability – I’ve found that a nice peppery Zinfandel can really help take the edge off my mood when I’ve had a bad day, or the demands of soccer snacks and school projects catch up with me. #mamalife

Cold Intolerance – I find a bold Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley to be particularly warming during cold winter months, when I can’t seem to get warm. Not only do the notes of dark cherry and tobacco feel cozy on my palate, but the 15.5 percent alcohol level gets my body temperature up so high, I’ve been known to wear my swimsuit in January while drinking it!

Weight Loss/Gain – Like many people who are managing thyroid conditions, my weight has fluctuated over the years — at times high, at other times, falling lower than what would be considered healthy. What I love about a rosé wine is that it, too, is indecisive. Is it a red? Is it a white? No one knows. Some say that wine will make you gain weight; others say it’ll help you lose weight. Maybe it can work both ways, like an adaptogen that regulates body weight. So, if you just want a delicious glass of crisp, refreshing wine and you need to lose OR gain weight, opt for a glass of rosé! #roséallday

Indigestion and Acid Reflux – On days when my gut seems to be acting up and I can’t keep blaming my gassiness on the dog, I reach for a glass of Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Aged in French oak, this wine is so buttery smooth, it slides down my throat and coats my digestive tract so beautifully, that I feel relief almost instantly. (Or maybe it’s my husband who’s relieved.)

Brain Fog – I can’t remember. Something about wine.

Your “Healthy” Wine Resources

April Fools!

If you’ve read this far and haven’t caught on yet, I’m just having a little bit of April 1st fun. ? Sometimes, in the middle of dealing with an autoimmune condition, it’s important to have a sense of humor. In all seriousness, I am often asked about whether an occasional glass of wine is acceptable for those with Hashimoto’s…

If you are just starting out on your healing journey, I don’t recommend consuming alcohol.

Drinking alcohol can contribute to a leaky gut, blood sugar imbalances, SIBO, and a backlog in the liver (as it works to detoxify ethanol, or drinking alcohol). Furthermore, wine can be full of mold mycotoxins, and can lead to mold and Candida issues (I have found this out the hard way!).

Some alcoholic drinks can also be high in histamines, which can be problematic for some people with Hashimoto’s.

Once you’ve worked to heal your gut, removed toxins (including food and environmental toxins) from your life, supported your liver for some time, and feel you are well on your way to recovery, adding in the occasional glass of “healthy wine” will be possible for a lot of people.

In the early days of my own Hashimoto’s journey, I felt awful after drinking any alcohol, and did not tolerate it. Drinking even small amounts left me exhausted for days after. However, after getting into remission, I was able to enjoy the occasional glass of wine, margarita, or mojito with minimal issues.

That said, people with thyroid conditions may have a reduced tolerance to the effects of alcohol, which can result in some nasty hangovers, even after a small amount of alcohol. Here is a remedy that I have found helpful for minimizing hangovers, if you choose to drink.

Hashi Hangover Remedy

The night of:

The morning after:

• Magnesium Citrate Powder – 1 serving, to minimize headaches
• NAC – 1 capsule, to support the liver’s detox pathways
• Benfomax – 3 capsules, to restore thiamine levels (which are depleted by alcohol)
• Liver & Gallbladder Support – 3 capsules, to support the liver’s detox pathways
• Electrolyte Blend*– 1 scoop in a glass of water, to help rehydrate, stabilize blood sugar, and restore energy

*Please note: Do not exceed more than 1 scoop of Rootcology Electrolyte Blend per day.

Here’s a graphic of the recipe that you can print (or share on social media ;-)):

Again, while there are some individuals who should stay away from consuming alcoholic beverages, others who are further along their healing journey may find that adding in the occasional glass of wine can be an enjoyable part of sharing a meal with their friends (even if it’s just via virtual conferencing :-)) and relaxing at the end of the day.

Dry Farm Wines

If this is you, I’d like to introduce you to a wonderful source I’ve found for wines that are delicious, and won’t make you feel worse in the morning! Dry Farm Wines is the only health-focused, natural wine club in the world. They curate a selection of additive-free wines that are lab tested for purity.

The creators of Dry Farm Wines were interested in creating wines that fit their low-carb and ketogenic lifestyles, didn’t hinder them from meeting their health goals, and left them feeling great the next day — all while providing delicious tastes for optimal enjoyment.

To accomplish this, they set up specific standards to meet their criteria, including lab testing to ensure their wines are all:

• Statistically Sugar/Carb Free: All their wines are lab tested for fructose and glucose, the two sugars found in wine; and all products by Dry Farm Wines are <1 g/L of total sugars, making them statistically sugar free. As Dry Farm Wines are statistically sugar free, and the carbohydrates in wine come from their sugar content, they are also statistically carb free. This is great news for people with Hashimoto’s who often follow a low-carb diet to keep blood sugar levels balanced.

• Mycotoxin/Mold Free: All their wines are tested for the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A (OCA), which is a toxin produced by mold and is the most common mold toxins in wines. They meet the E.U. standard for screening, at less than 2 parts per billion of OCA. There is no standard or testing of U.S. wines for OCA, but OCA is a known carcinogenic. Furthermore, molds can be a trigger for Hashimoto’s, so ensuring that wine is free of mold is crucial.

• Low Alcohol: The alcohol levels in wine can range from 7 to 24 percent alcohol by volume. However, the U.S. government does not require alcohol labeling to be accurate. It is simply “stated”, and there is zero U.S. enforcement for accuracy. Every bottle from Dry Farm Wines is tested to verify that it is at or below what is stated on the label, and none of their wines exceed a naturally occurring 12.5 percent alcohol level. Lower alcohol levels mean less burden on the liver, as well as lower levels of intoxication, so you can enjoy your glass of wine and keep your mind clear!

• Low Sulfites: All wines contain some sulfites (sulfur dioxide released during fermentation), as they are naturally occurring. Winemakers often add additional sulfites to wine, as a preservative. However, some people are sensitive to sulfites. This can be particularly true of people with Hashimoto’s who have food sensitivities and multiple chemical sensitivities. Common reactions can include headaches, congestion, itchy throat, and skin rashes. The U.S. government restricts added sulfites in wine to 350 ppm (parts per million). That said, Dry Farm Wines has created a standard not to exceed 75 ppm in their wines, and most of the wines they represent are below 50 ppm.

• Diet-Friendly: Because all of their wines are naturally lower in alcohol, are statistically sugar/carb free, and have not been found to make a significant impact on blood sugar levels or ketone production, Dry Farm Wines are compliant with Paleo, sugar-free, carb-free, and ketogenic nutritional programs.

When you sign up to receive wine from Dry Farms, you’ll receive a monthly shipment of a unique selection of 6 or 12 biodynamic wines, sourced from small farms around the world. Each shipment includes different grape varieties and styles.

It’s a wonderful way to try a variety of incredible wines, curated specifically for those of us who want to look after our health, while enjoying life in the process!

Remove Sulfites and Histamines from Wine

I’ve also recently learned of a new product called The Wand from PureWine. They have created a disposable filter that can be swirled in your glass of wine before drinking, to remove the sulfites and histamines that often lead to headaches, fatigue, congestion, upset stomach and hangovers when consuming wine. Many people who have had to avoid wine due to sensitivities have found that, while The Wand isn’t magic, it does allow them to enjoy their glass of wine again, without the negative side effects.

I haven’t had many alcoholic drinks since becoming pregnant, but The Wand has received positive feedback from a few of my team members, and I’m hoping to learn more about its ability to remove sulfites and histamines from other beverages that can be problematic for people with sulfite and histamine intolerance issues, respectively.

Alcohol-Free Options with Benefits

For those of you that would prefer not to drink alcohol, or are sober curious, but would still like something to take the edge off at the end of the day, I would recommend checking out Apothékary, a company that makes herbal remedies that support stress, the gut, energy, and mental focus. They have created several different wine alternatives that can replace a glass of wine or enhance a mocktail.

Their Sober Sips Set includes three great zero-proof wine alternatives – red wine, white wine, and rosé-inspired products that can help you unwind at the end of a long day, without the alcohol. You can add them to juice, water, or a mocktail of your choice.

• Stop Your Wine-ing: If you crave a glass of red wine for its stress-soothing benefits but would rather do without the sugar, alcohol, or hangover – this one’s for you! It’s a powder that you can add to some tart cherry juice for red wine vibes (sleepy girl mocktail anyone?), or even make a cozy elixir by mixing it with your favorite type of milk and a natural sweetener.
  

• Take the Edge Off: This is an herbal tincture that can be used as an alternative to white wine. Powerful herbs like passionflower and oatstraw help bring your stress level down and ease tension in the body. It’s delicious mixed in sparkling water with the addition of fruits like lemon, citrus, or pears.

• Rosé-Tinted Glasses: This tincture is meant to evoke a glass of rosé, while also boosting mood, easing feelings of stress, supporting brain function, and even giving your skin a glow. Add to sparkling water or juice for an alcohol-free beverage.

I encourage you to give Dry Farm Wines, PureWine Wands, or Apothékary a try and see that enjoying a glass of wine or a stress-relieving beverage doesn’t have to come with all the undesirable side effects…even if it doesn’t cure your Hashimoto’s symptoms!

Takeaway

While wine may not be the best medicine for your thyroid symptoms, choosing an organic and non-toxic wine option, and using tools like filtering wands and supportive supplements, can help to minimize reactions so that you can indulge a bit while still looking after your thyroid health. Some people may prefer no alcohol, and luckily there are delicious zero-proof options that can still give you that sense of relaxation.

P.S. Looking for more real food solutions to get better? Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health. I wrote this cookbook and nutrition guide, so that you can be your own nutrition guru and take back your life.

P.P.S. I love interacting with my readers on social media, and I encourage you to join my Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest community pages to stay on top of thyroid health updates and meet others who are following similar health journeys. For recipes, a FREE Thyroid Diet start guide, and notifications about upcoming events, be sure to sign up for my email list!

Note: Originally published in April 2019, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.