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Foods Which Can Cause a Migraine Headache

Migraines are headaches plus. They can completely interfere with an individual's life, making it impossible for him to function. Migraines can land you in bed for a day or more. The medical community isn't quite sure what the cause of migraines is, according to the Mayo Clinic, however, it is believed that environmental factors and genetics play a role. In addition, the foods you eat are believed to be capable of triggering a migraine.

  1. Avoid This

    • Some foods that are considered triggers for migraines are beer and red wine, or alcohol in general; chocolate; too much caffeine; processed foods; salty foods, Asian foods that contain monosodium glutamate, aspartame and aged cheeses. Red wine, aged cheese, chicken livers, some beans, figs and smoked fish contain tyramine, which appears to exacerbate headaches. Relieve-migraine-headache.com explains that tyramine is a compound found in many foods, which is produced when the amino acid naturally breaks down. Tyramine can result in blood vessels dilating and this can end up in the migraine chain reaction. Food that is aged or preserved often has tyramine in it. Therefore, if you are susceptible to headaches, you should be leery of leftovers that have been refrigerated for more than a day. Aged foods should be avoided. Nitrates, found in hot dogs, salami and bacon, may prompt a headache, according to Healthprofessor.com.

    Sometimes Good, Sometimes Bad

    • The Cleveland Clinic notes that excessive caffeine consumption as well as withdrawal from caffeine can result in a headache. However, on the other hand, at times caffeine can be beneficial in treating acute migraine attacks. It all depends on the individual.

    Considerations

    • Some people may get a migraine from eating bananas, dairy products, picked or fermented goods, avocado, peanut butter, citrus, onions and nuts.

    Thanks But No Thanks

    • Dr. Seymour Diamond, director of the Diamond Headache Clinic, warns against eating sauerkraut, olives and pickles or any fermented soy products, including teriyaki sauce and soy sauce. He also warns against salami, liverwurst and anything salted, smoked, pickled, dried or age, and says to avoid salami and pepperoni and recommends not eating mincemeat pie.

    Expert Insight

    • Dr. David Buchholz of Johns Hopkins University says that certain foods may trigger a headache but it may not be immediately. The effects of the food can be delayed up to three days. He cautions against eating all fresh produce that contains tryamine because it is a natural food chemical that has absolutely been linked to headaches. He recommends eating shallots and leaks instead of onions. Dr. Buchholtz points out that cream cheese, cottage cheese and American cheese do not have much tryamine in them so they probably won't prompt a migraine but cheddar and blue cheese are loaded with tryamine.

    Determining the Cause

    • Some foods don't always cause headaches immediately. The effects can be delayed up to 72 hours. This can make it hard for a person to determine what is triggering his migraines.

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