'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgcQAAECBQUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBhESBQgTFCEHAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAxEBAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIRAAMiQVH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AM93BfQqpFXLpZ/r9VvT5ZEqWyRZ0YrLqvL5D0Ii5l9wFeyLDUrwaY5wIS3mttWSsBa5sQLmEInHVAFBvj2+Yo7ZpGK2A0Vn/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
If you're looking for a list of foods that trigger migraines, you have come to the right place. Food and drink are just two of the many possible triggers for a migraine.
The Migraine Research Foundation suggests that foods that trigger migraines can only do so when combined with other migraine triggers. However, research is hampered by the fact that this combination, like any trigger, is highly individual.
In other words, there's no one thing that causes migraines for everyone. However, some people are especially susceptible to migraines, and they can be triggered or exacerbated by a few common things.
Below is a list of common foods that trigger migraines. You can try these natural remedies for migraines.
Trending
Common foods that trigger migraines
Some foods, drinks and ingredients have been linked to increased risk of headaches and migraine attacks; here's what you need to know about seven such foods that cause migraines:
1) Foods containing MSG
Processed foods containing MSG are one of the most common foods that trigger migraines. The sodium salt of glutamic acid, which occurs naturally in human bodies, is known as monosodium glutamate.
Some foods naturally contain MSG, and many more have it added to them. MSG is generally accepted as safe to eat, but some studies have found a connection to migraines.
Ten to fifteen percent of people who suffer from migraines report that it's a major trigger for their condition. There's evidence that suggests that other preservatives may also cause reactions in some individuals.
2) Aged Cheese
Aged cheeses are commonly included in the list of foods that trigger migraines. Tyramine is a compound found in aged cheese, which is formed when protein breaks down with time. The amount of tyramine in cheese increases with its age.
It has also been suggested that tyramine can bring on migraines and headache attacks. Examples of popular cheeses typically high in tyramine are Parmesan, blue cheese and feta cheese.
3) Processed meats
Processed meats are one of the foods that trigger migraines in some people. The National Headache Foundation reports that nitrates used as preservatives in hot dogs, bacon and deli meats may cause headaches in some people by widening their blood vessels.
Although these chemicals are typically present only in trace amounts in meat, some individuals may be particularly susceptible to their effects. Keeping a food and symptom diary is the best way to determine if you're one of these people or not, as is the case with all food triggers.
4) Caffeine
Interruption of the regular intake of caffeine is a common cause of headaches. When you stay in bed longer on the weekends than usual and then wonder why you have a headache on Monday morning, it's probably because of caffeine withdrawal.
However, a small amount of caffeine can relieve a headache, and it's included in some over-the-counter medications for headaches because of that. However, consuming excessive amounts of caffeine may make you more sensitive to headaches in general.
Migraine sufferers should consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day, preferably around the same time every day, according to studies. Hence, coffee or tea can be one of the foods that trigger migraines.
5) Red wine and other alcoholic beverages
Migraines may be triggered by the sulfites used in wine preservation, so it's best to avoid both white and red varieties.
The combination of sulphites and alcohol in wine makes it a potent trigger for some people. Drinking alcohol of any kind can increase brain blood flow and lead to dehydration, both of which can bring on a headache. Hence, alcohol may be included on the list of foods that trigger migraines.
Professor of Neurology at Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and former president of the American Headache Society Robert B.
Daroff, MD, notes that people with migraines are more likely to suffer from the negative effects of alcohol consumption. An individual experiencing a cluster headache attack may also experience a headache if they consume alcohol.
6) Ice cream
The ice cream itself probably isn't to blame for the throbbing headache you experienced after eating it; rather, your body reacting to the cold. When you overheat, you're more likely to experience a headache similar to an ice cream headache, and the pain usually reaches its peak within 30 to 60 seconds.
If you suffer from migraines, having something cold like ice cream may bring on an attack, but for most people, the pain subsides quickly. To avoid that, take your time when enjoying your ice cream or cold beverage. Ice cream is one of the foods that triggers migraines in some people.
7) Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are commonly found in processed foods. Sweeteners like these are used in place of sugar in foods and beverages, and can be one of the foods that trigger migraines. However, these sugar substitutes have been linked to an increased risk of migraine headaches. In particular, aspartame has been linked to migraine attacks.
One of the best ways to deal with migraines is to identify what sets them off for you specifically. Common causes include alcohol, stress, lack of sleep and not eating enough. Some people have success with home remedies for migraines.
The first thing to do is keep a diary in which you record your migraine symptoms as they occur. Write down what you were doing just before you started feeling the headache coming on. This method can help you identify foods that trigger migraines, so follow a migraine diet avoiding foods that cause migraines.
