Foods That Trigger Migraine Attack

Migraine attacks are characterized by severe head pain and are sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, smells and sound. A migraine attack can last anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days, often causing the sufferer to put her life on hold. While the migraine triggers might vary from person to person, there are several common food triggers reported to bring on migraine attacks. The most common foods that trigger migraine attacks are listed here.

Tyramine

• Tyramine is a substance naturally formed from the breakdown of protein in a food as it ages. Foods containing high amounts of tyramine include aged cheeses, red wine, yogurt, alcoholic beverages, sour cream, processed meats, pickles, avocados and some beans, such as garbanzo, pinto and lima.

Alcoholic Beverages

• Alcoholic beverages increase blood flow to the brain. Red wine, champagne and beer are the most commonly identified triggers of migraine attacks.

Food Additives and Preservatives

• Food additives and preservatives can dilate blood vessels, triggering migraine headaches in some individuals. The most common food additives that cause migraine attacks are nitrates, nitrites, meat tenderizers and monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a flavor enhancer found in Oriental foods, soy sauce, processed meats and many packaged foods.

Caffeine

• Caffeine is a mild stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, soft drinks and some pain medications. Caffeine constricts the cerebral blood vessels, which triggers migraine attacks in many people.

Chocolate

• Chocolate contains phenylethylamine and theobromine as well as caffeine. These natural chemicals may cause a migraine attack by altering the cerebral blood flow and releasing norepinephrine, which is a stress chemical in the brain that increases blood pressure, heart rate and blood flow.