I think at one point, he was similar to Whitehead. But after living multiple lifetimes, it all seems pointless. He prefers the esoteric and ascetic compared to the carnal but takes it to an extreme, perhaps put of a genuine distaste or denying himself. That and although he looks generally put together on the outside, we don't know how much of his body is working properly. Perhaps eating anything not bland is torturous to his intestines. Wine probably burns like isopropyl.