What Not to Eat When Drinking Red Wine

Generally, when drinking red wine, one should avoid consuming foods such as crabs, persimmons, pork liver, durian, and salted fish. It is also important to avoid taking medications such as metronidazole tablets, aspirin tablets, nifedipine tablets, glibenclamide tablets, and phenobarbital tablets. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Foods

1. Crabs

Red wine contains a certain amount of tannins, while crabs are rich in protein. Tannins can combine with proteins to form substances that are difficult to digest, increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and potentially causing discomfort symptoms such as indigestion and abdominal distension. Additionally, acidic substances in red wine may react with certain components in crabs, altering the taste and texture of the crab and affecting the eating experience.

2. Persimmons

Persimmons contain rich tannic acid. Consuming persimmons while drinking red wine may cause tannic acid to interact with alcohol and other components in the wine, potentially forming stones in the gastrointestinal tract and increasing the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction. This combination can also interfere with the body's absorption of nutrients and may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing discomfort symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

3. Pork Liver

Pork liver is rich in metal ions such as copper and iron. Alcohol in red wine reacts with these metal ions during its metabolism in the liver, accelerating alcohol oxidation and thereby increasing the burden on the liver. Moreover, metal ions may affect the flavor of red wine, producing a bitter taste and reducing the enjoyment of drinking it.

4. Durian

Durian contains sulfur compounds that can affect the body's metabolism of alcohol. Eating durian while drinking red wine may hinder the normal breakdown of alcohol in the body, prolonging its retention time and thus intensifying symptoms of intoxication such as dizziness, headache, and nausea, which is detrimental to health.

5. Salted Fish

Salted fish is a high-salt preserved food containing large amounts of nitrites. Consuming salted fish while drinking red wine may increase the absorption of nitrites in the body, raising the risk of cancer. Additionally, the strong flavor of salted fish can mask the delicate taste of red wine, significantly affecting the sensory experience when consumed together.

2. Medications

1. Metronidazole Tablets

Metronidazole tablets are commonly used to treat anaerobic bacterial infections and interfere with the metabolism of alcohol, causing a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body and triggering a disulfiram-like reaction, which can lead to severe discomfort in patients. Consumption of red wine should be avoided for one week before and after taking metronidazole tablets to ensure medication safety.

2. Aspirin Tablets

Aspirin tablets have an antiplatelet aggregation effect and are commonly used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Alcohol in red wine can irritate the gastric mucosa, and aspirin tablets themselves also have irritating and damaging effects on the gastric mucosa. Consuming both together significantly increases the risk of gastric mucosal damage, possibly causing adverse reactions such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and even gastrointestinal bleeding.

3. Nifedipine Tablets

Nifedipine tablets are commonly used calcium channel blockers for lowering blood pressure. Alcohol has a vasodilating effect; drinking red wine after taking nifedipine tablets can cause excessive vasodilation, leading to a sharp drop in blood pressure and triggering symptoms of hypotension such as dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations. In severe cases, it may lead to shock and affect blood perfusion to vital organs.

4. Glibenclamide Tablets

Alcohol can inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis after consumption, and glibenclamide tablets lower blood sugar levels. The combined effect of both greatly increases the likelihood of hypoglycemia, which can manifest as palpitations, hand tremors, sweating, dizziness, and fatigue. Severe hypoglycemia can lead to coma and pose a threat to the patient's life.

5. Phenobarbital Tablets

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. When used in combination with phenobarbital tablets, it enhances the inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, intensifying symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, and slowed reaction time. This can seriously affect the patient's mental state and physical abilities and may also increase the frequency of epileptic seizures or lead to status epilepticus.

It is recommended that when drinking red wine, one should pay attention to appropriately pairing foods and avoid consuming foods that clash in flavor. At the same time, ensure a balanced diet to avoid unnecessary burdens on the body.