Wine, thiamine and the Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome

Abstract

Winemakers in Australia may be legally required to add thiamine to their products to counter the effects of thiamine deficiency in a small proportion of drinkers. The major aim, were such legislation to be implemented, would be to prevent the neurological disorder, Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome. In this paper aspects of the Australian debate are presented and the nature of the Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome and estimates of its incidence are described. Consideration is given to thiamine deficiency as an apparent cause of the syndrome, and to the thiamine status of populations. Research findings which bear on relevant issues in the debate are considered. Legislation mandating the addition of thiamine to wine could have serious implications for the export of the Australian product, and it is concluded that wine is not in any case a suitable carrier for additional thiamine.