Sulfites are very important ingredients in process of wine making. They have been introduced to this process at the start of the seventeenth century. It has been used for the preservation of wine ever since the times of the Ancient Rome. It is one of the most important parts of the process of fermentation of wine but it is also used for various other purposes as well. During the nineteenth century people started believing that sulfites in wine could be associated with certain types of health hazards. These beliefs have gradually turned into myths over the years. For those who do not know, sulfites are actually certain types of sulfurous acid compounds and they are known for their rather potent preserving properties.
They are very efficient in preventing unwanted fermentation and providing complete control over the process of fermentation. This is mainly due to the fact that sulfites are very beneficial when it comes to inhibiting the growth of mold and different types of bacteria. The oxidation of wine is also prevented mainly due to presence of sulfites. If there were no sulfites in wine, it would gradually turn to vinegar over the course of a few months. If the wine does not get preserved by sulfites, it usually gets spoiled in no more than 18 months. Natural sources of sulfites include onions, grapes and various other types of fruits. The conclusion of all the aforementioned info is that it is impossible to create wine which does not contain sulfites.
Side Effects
There are people who sometimes experience certain types of side effects induced by sulfites in the wine. These side effects occur due to the fact that those very same people actually do not have a certain enzyme which is in charge of breaking down the sulfites once they get inside the body. The side effects are commonly manifested as allergic reactions. It is an interesting fact that most people who suffer from such problems are also asthmatics. The most common symptoms of such allergic reactions include tingling sensations, difficulty in breathing, hives, swelling, skin rash and several others.
Myths
There are certain myths which started surrounding sulfites in wine ever since the nineteenth century. Sulfides are often wrongly accused of inducing headaches. This could not be further from the truth, as the ingredients which are actually responsible for the onset of headaches include phenolic flavonoids, tyramine, tannins and histamines.
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