Can foods cause headaches: 10 Foods That Trigger Migraines
10 Foods That Trigger Migraines
Certain foods can trigger migraine attacks in people with migraine. Common migraine trigger foods include chocolate, caffeine, and red wine.
Many things can trigger a migraine attack, including what we eat and drink.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, foods that trigger migraine may only do so when combined with other triggers. But this combination — and any trigger in general — is highly individualized, making research difficult.
There’s no such thing as a universal migraine trigger. But there are some common triggers that can cause or contribute to migraine episodes in some people.
Too much caffeine and experiencing caffeine withdrawal can cause migraine or headaches.
But according to the American Migraine Foundation, caffeine can actually help stop oncoming migraine attacks. It can also offer headache relief with occasional use.
Foods and drinks with caffeine include:
- coffee
- tea
- chocolate
Many processed foods contain artificial sweeteners. These are sugar alternatives that are added to foods and drinks to add sweetness.
But these sweeteners can cause migraine. Aspartame in particular is thought to trigger migraine episodes.
Alcohol is one of the more common products thought to trigger migraine. According to one study, over 35% of the participants with migraine reported that alcohol was one of their common triggers.
Red wine in particular was reported as a trigger in over 77% of the participants who reported alcohol as a trigger.
Alcohol can cause dehydration, which is a significant contributor in developing headaches.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, chocolate is thought to be the second most common trigger for migraine attacks after alcohol. They say it affects an estimated 22 percent of people who experience migraine.
Chocolate contains both caffeine and beta-phenylethylamine, which may trigger headaches in some people.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, which naturally exists in our bodies.
MSG is found in certain foods, and present in many foods as a food additive. It’s considered safe to eat, but some researchers link it to migraine attacks.
The American Migraine Foundation notes that it may trigger severe migraine episodes in 10 to 15 percent of those with migraine. Other preservatives may also be a trigger in some people.
Cured meats — including deli meats, ham, hot dogs, and sausages — all contain preservatives called nitrates, which preserve color and flavor. These foods can release nitric oxide into the blood, which is thought to dilate blood vessels in the brain.
There’s some evidence that nitric oxide can cause or contribute to migraine.
Aged cheeses contain a substance called tyramine. It forms when a food’s aging causes the breakdown of proteins.
The longer the cheese has aged, the higher the tyramine content will be.
Tyramine is another chemical that has been said to trigger headaches and migraine. Common cheeses that are high in tyramine include:
- feta
- blue cheese
- Parmesan
Like aged cheeses, pickled and fermented foods can contain high amounts of tyramine. These foods include:
- pickles
- kimchi
- kombucha (which can also have alcoholic content)
- pickled okra
- pickled jalapeños
Eating frozen foods and drinks like ice cream or slushies can trigger severe, stabbing pains in the head.
You’re most likely to experience headaches that become migraine attacks if you’re eating cold food quickly, after exercising, or when overheated.
Salty foods — especially salty processed foods that may contain harmful preservatives — may trigger migraine in some people.
Consuming high levels of sodium can increase blood pressure, causing headaches or migraine attacks.
Treatment for migraine can involve a combination of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and alternative remedies.
For occasional headache or migraine pain, you can take OTC medications like Excedrin Migraine to relieve pain. Your doctor may also prescribe triptan medications to relieve pain.
If you experience regular migraine episodes, your doctor will likely prescribe preventive medications. These may include beta-blockers, which can lower blood pressure and reduce migraine attacks.
Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed to prevent migraine symptoms, even in those without depression.
There’s evidence that some alternative remedies can help treat migraine. These include:
- massage therapy, which could lower the frequency of migraine attacks
- biofeedback, which teaches you how to check physical responses of stress, like muscle tension
- vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which can help prevent migraine episodes
- magnesium supplements
Migraine episodes can be painful and interrupt your life. Fortunately, there are some lifestyle changes you can make and habits to adopt that can help you prevent them.
These include:
- eating regularly and never skipping meals
- limiting your caffeine intake
- getting plenty of sleep
- reducing the stress in your life by trying yoga, mindfulness, or meditation
- limiting the amount of time you’re looking at bright lights, or are in direct sunlight, which can both cause sensory migraine
- taking frequent “screen breaks” from television, the computer, and other screens
- trying an elimination diet to help you identify any food allergies or intolerances that may be headache triggers
Read this article in Spanish.
10 Foods That Trigger Migraines
Certain foods can trigger migraine attacks in people with migraine. Common migraine trigger foods include chocolate, caffeine, and red wine.
Many things can trigger a migraine attack, including what we eat and drink.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, foods that trigger migraine may only do so when combined with other triggers. But this combination — and any trigger in general — is highly individualized, making research difficult.
There’s no such thing as a universal migraine trigger. But there are some common triggers that can cause or contribute to migraine episodes in some people.
Too much caffeine and experiencing caffeine withdrawal can cause migraine or headaches.
But according to the American Migraine Foundation, caffeine can actually help stop oncoming migraine attacks. It can also offer headache relief with occasional use.
Foods and drinks with caffeine include:
- coffee
- tea
- chocolate
Many processed foods contain artificial sweeteners. These are sugar alternatives that are added to foods and drinks to add sweetness.
But these sweeteners can cause migraine. Aspartame in particular is thought to trigger migraine episodes.
Alcohol is one of the more common products thought to trigger migraine. According to one study, over 35% of the participants with migraine reported that alcohol was one of their common triggers.
Red wine in particular was reported as a trigger in over 77% of the participants who reported alcohol as a trigger.
Alcohol can cause dehydration, which is a significant contributor in developing headaches.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, chocolate is thought to be the second most common trigger for migraine attacks after alcohol. They say it affects an estimated 22 percent of people who experience migraine.
Chocolate contains both caffeine and beta-phenylethylamine, which may trigger headaches in some people.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, which naturally exists in our bodies.
MSG is found in certain foods, and present in many foods as a food additive. It’s considered safe to eat, but some researchers link it to migraine attacks.
The American Migraine Foundation notes that it may trigger severe migraine episodes in 10 to 15 percent of those with migraine. Other preservatives may also be a trigger in some people.
Cured meats — including deli meats, ham, hot dogs, and sausages — all contain preservatives called nitrates, which preserve color and flavor. These foods can release nitric oxide into the blood, which is thought to dilate blood vessels in the brain.
There’s some evidence that nitric oxide can cause or contribute to migraine.
Aged cheeses contain a substance called tyramine. It forms when a food’s aging causes the breakdown of proteins.
The longer the cheese has aged, the higher the tyramine content will be.
Tyramine is another chemical that has been said to trigger headaches and migraine. Common cheeses that are high in tyramine include:
- feta
- blue cheese
- Parmesan
Like aged cheeses, pickled and fermented foods can contain high amounts of tyramine. These foods include:
- pickles
- kimchi
- kombucha (which can also have alcoholic content)
- pickled okra
- pickled jalapeños
Eating frozen foods and drinks like ice cream or slushies can trigger severe, stabbing pains in the head.
You’re most likely to experience headaches that become migraine attacks if you’re eating cold food quickly, after exercising, or when overheated.
Salty foods — especially salty processed foods that may contain harmful preservatives — may trigger migraine in some people.
Consuming high levels of sodium can increase blood pressure, causing headaches or migraine attacks.
Treatment for migraine can involve a combination of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and alternative remedies.
For occasional headache or migraine pain, you can take OTC medications like Excedrin Migraine to relieve pain. Your doctor may also prescribe triptan medications to relieve pain.
If you experience regular migraine episodes, your doctor will likely prescribe preventive medications. These may include beta-blockers, which can lower blood pressure and reduce migraine attacks.
Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed to prevent migraine symptoms, even in those without depression.
There’s evidence that some alternative remedies can help treat migraine. These include:
- massage therapy, which could lower the frequency of migraine attacks
- biofeedback, which teaches you how to check physical responses of stress, like muscle tension
- vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which can help prevent migraine episodes
- magnesium supplements
Migraine episodes can be painful and interrupt your life. Fortunately, there are some lifestyle changes you can make and habits to adopt that can help you prevent them.
These include:
- eating regularly and never skipping meals
- limiting your caffeine intake
- getting plenty of sleep
- reducing the stress in your life by trying yoga, mindfulness, or meditation
- limiting the amount of time you’re looking at bright lights, or are in direct sunlight, which can both cause sensory migraine
- taking frequent “screen breaks” from television, the computer, and other screens
- trying an elimination diet to help you identify any food allergies or intolerances that may be headache triggers
Read this article in Spanish.
What foods can cause migraine › Articles and news › DoktorPiter.ru
- Health
Numerous studies have shown the connection of migraine attacks with food. This thesis was tested by a 60-year-old resident of the United States, who suffered from severe headache attacks for 12 years.
November 19, 20215
- Source:
- Getty Images
Migraine is not just a severe headache. As a rule, one side of the head is affected during attacks, the person experiences throbbing pain, which is often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sounds. Dealing with this disease is very difficult. However, scientists are convinced that the right diet can work wonders.
See also
12 years in headache slavery
As an example, BMJ Case Reports describes the case of a 60-year-old man who suffered from migraine for 12 years.
What he just did not try in an attempt to get rid of the terrible pain: and yoga, and meditation, and many drugs. I even tried to protect myself from all possible triggers of the disease, but all this did not help. It got to the point that the pensioner could no longer do his job as a photographer normally.
At some point, the pain became unbearable, and then the elderly man decided to make adjustments to his diet. On the advice of doctors, he switched to a diet of leafy greens, green green smoothies, limited the use of whole grains, starchy vegetables, oils and animal proteins, in particular milk and red meat.
Within three months, the frequency of migraine attacks was reduced to once a month. After another three months, the attacks disappeared altogether and did not appear for more than 7 years.
Read also
Other foods that cause migraines
There are other studies that point to the importance of diet in migraines. Studies by foreign scientists have shown that in 20-50% of cases, adults can avoid or reduce headaches if they refuse to use the so-called trigger (provocative) foods.
Researchers named a dozen foods in order of importance that can trigger headaches:
dairy products (including skimmed or whole cow’s milk, goat’s milk, cheese, yogurt)
chocolate
eggs
citrus
meat (including beef, pork, chicken, turkey) 9000 7
wheat (bread, pasta)
nuts
tomatoes
onions
corn
apples
bananas.
Beverages and supplements can also cause migraines. Among them are red wine, caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, cola), monosodium glutamate, aspartame, nitrites.
See also
White zone foods that almost never cause migraines:
Rice
Cooked green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, chard, kale)
9 0004
Cooked orange vegetables (carrots or sweet potatoes)
Cooked or dried fruits and berries (cherries, cranberries, pears, prunes)
Plain or sparkling water
Maple syrup
Vanilla extract
See also , can also be triggers (provocateurs) migraines, but only in a few, which is associated with the individual characteristics of the organism. That is, for most, these foods are far from the most likely migraine culprits.
In this regard, people suffering from headache attacks need to understand which of the “forbidden” foods cause them. To do this, experts advise first completely eliminating all potential provocateurs from your diet, and then every two days, one by one, enter them into the menu, starting from the end of the list (bananas), and monitor your condition.
If changing the diet does not affect the frequency or severity of pain, then you need to see a doctor for additional tests.
Read also
Doctor’s opinion
Professor of St. Petersburg State Medical University. Pavlova Alexander Amelin commented on some common statements about migraine specifically for “Doctor Peter” – in particular, those related to nutrition.
According to Amelin, hunger can also trigger a headache.
– This is due to chemical processes that provoke a change in vascular tone and, as a result, a headache, – explains the specialist.
But the idea of specific foods that can cause a migraine attack, the doctor considered dubious – everything is too individual here.
— Everyone has their own migraine and completely different foods and drinks can provoke it. Someone’s head starts to hurt after cheese, someone after a glass of red wine. This is found out only in practice, – the expert emphasized.
Text author: Daria Gapionok
What foods can cause headaches – a neurologist
https://crimea.ria.ru/20220628/kakie-produkty-mogut-vyzvat-golovnuyu-bol—nevrolog-1123663583.html pain – neurologist – RIA Novosti Crimea, 06/28/2022
What foods can cause headaches – neurologist
Some foods can cause headaches, people suffering from migraines should be especially careful about them. They were listed by neurologist Pavel Khoroshev, RIA Novosti Crimea, 06/28/2022
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SIMFEROPOL, June 28 – RIA Novosti Crimea. Some foods can cause headaches, especially for people suffering from migraines. They were listed by a neurologist Pavel Khoroshev, Sputnik radio broadcasts.According to Khoroshev, first of all, you should give up alcohol. Red wine is especially dangerous in this sense. You will also have to exclude tea, coffee and energy drinks. Another unexpected product that provokes headaches is cheese. Chocolate also causes migraines. But fatty meat, contrary to popular belief, is not the most critical factor in this matter. But still, for those who often experience headaches, it is better to practice vegetarianism. Earlier, endocrinologist Natalia Kirdyankina told who needs to take pharmacy vitamins even in summer. With some diseases, a person simply cannot get enough vitamins with food, since this food is contraindicated for him due to the underlying disease. This happens in diabetes, which restricts the intake of sweet fruits, and celiac disease, when a person is on a lifelong diet.
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SIMFEROPOL, June 28 – RIA Novosti Crimea. Some foods may cause headaches and should be used with particular caution by migraine sufferers. They were listed by neurologist Pavel Khoroshev, radio Sputnik reports.
According to Khoroshev, the first thing to do is give up alcohol. Red wine is especially dangerous in this sense. You will also have to exclude tea, coffee and energy drinks. Another unexpected product that provokes headaches is cheese. Chocolate also causes migraines.
“The sweetener aspartame and the flavor enhancer glutamate can also cause migraine attacks,” he added.