Hey there, viewers! Have you been getting Migraine Triggers lately? A migraine is a severe headache that causes a really bad throbbing pain on one side of the head. The exact cause of migraines is still unknown, but some foods are said to trigger them. Let’s talk about some of those foods today!
Chocolate
- Chocolate is one of the most common foods to bring on migraines.
- It affects more than 20% of people who experience migraines regularly.
- The caffeine in chocolate affects the activity of a substance in our brain called adenosine, which increases during a migraine attack.
- Caffeine withdrawal can also trigger migraines, so be careful when cutting back on it.
Coffee
- Coffee is another source of caffeine that can trigger migraines.
- A single cup of coffee can have almost 95 mg of caffeine, which is much more than dark chocolate.
- Caffeine can make your blood vessels swell up, which can cause headaches.
- If you’re prone to migraines, try switching from 3 cups of coffee a day to one, or replace it with herbal teas like ginger, chamomile and peppermint.
Cured Meats
- Cured meats are meats that have been preserved through methods like drying, canning, salting and smoking.
- They are filled with preservatives called nitrates, which help them keep their color and flavor.
- Nitrates can make your blood vessels swell up, which can trigger migraines.
- If you want to avoid this, switch to eating more uncured meats like chicken breast and turkey.
Aged Cheeses
- Aged cheeses are cheeses that have been aged for a long time, such as Parmesan, Swiss and feta.
- They contain a substance called tyramine, which is a natural substance that helps control your blood pressure.
- Tyramine is produced when proteins break down in aged foods.
- If your head is super sensitive, tyramine can trigger migraines.
- Avoid aged cheeses if you suffer from migraines frequently.
Alcohol
- Alcohol is arguably the most common trigger of migraines.
- It affects 35% of people who experience migraines regularly.
- Red wine is the worst offender, as it affects almost 80% of migraine sufferers.
- Alcohol makes you dehydrated, which is a sign of migraine.
- It also contains chemicals called histamines and sulfites, which can cause headaches.
- If you’re prone to migraines, limit your alcohol intake or avoid it altogether.
Salty Foods
- Salty foods are foods that contain a lot of salt, such as chips, candy, pretzels and hamburgers.
- The average American eats around 3400 mg of sodium a day, which is much more than the recommended 2300 mg.
- Too much sodium can cause your blood pressure to spike, which can trigger migraines.
- If you’re invited to a barbecue or a picnic, pay attention to the amount of salt you’re putting into your body.
Frozen Foods
- Frozen foods are foods that are frozen and eaten cold, such as ice cream, popsicles and slushies.
- They can cause brain freeze, which is a sudden and intense headache that happens when you eat something too cold too quickly.
- Brain freeze only lasts a minute, but for some people it can turn into a migraine that lasts much longer.
- If you feel brain freeze coming on and it doesn’t go away soon, you may be having a migraine triggered by frozen foods.
Fermented Foods
- Fermented foods are foods that have been fermented by bacteria or yeast, such as pickles, kimchi and kombucha.
- They contain substances called amines, which are produced by bacteria to break down amino acids in fermented foods.
- Amines can make your blood vessels swell up, which can cause headaches.
- If your body is too sensitive to amines, fermented foods can trigger migraines.
Conclusion
Understanding the impact of certain foods on migraines is crucial for managing this debilitating condition. By being mindful of trigger foods and making dietary adjustments, individuals can potentially reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, leading to a better quality of life.
Q: What foods can trigger migraines?
A: Foods such as chocolate, coffee, cured meats, aged cheeses, alcohol, salty foods, frozen foods, and fermented foods can trigger migraines due to their various components, like caffeine, nitrates, tyramine, and histamines.
Q: How can I avoid migraine triggers in my diet?
A: You can avoid migraine triggers in your diet by limiting the consumption of trigger foods, opting for alternatives, staying hydrated, and maintaining a balanced diet.
Q: Can frozen foods cause migraines?
A: Frozen foods like ice cream and popsicles can lead to brain freeze, which may sometimes escalate into migraines for specific individuals.
Are you considering cutting out any of these foods?
Let us know in the comments below…
