What We Eat And Drink Can Cause A Migraine so Check The List
The Migraine Research Foundation claims that certain foods may only cause migraines when consumed in combination with other factors. However, the extremely personalised nature of this combination — and any trigger in general — makes study challenging.
There isn’t a single factor that always causes migraines. However, certain people may be susceptible to migraine attacks due to certain typical causes.
What We Eat And Drink Can Cause A Migraine so Check The List
Coffee
Migraines or headaches can be brought on by consuming too much caffeine or going through caffeine withdrawal.
However, the American Migraine Foundation asserts that caffeine can really prevent impending migraine attacks. With occasional use, it can also relieve headaches.
Caffeine-containing foods and beverages include:
- coffee
- tea
- chocolate
Synthetic sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are found in many processed foods. These are sugar substitutes that are used to sweeten foods and beverages.
These sweeteners, however, can trigger migraines. Aspartame, in particular, is considered to cause migraines.
Alcoholic beverages
One of the more prevalent things thought to cause migraines is alcohol. According to one studyTrusted Source, more than 35% of migraine participants reported that alcohol was one of their common triggers.
Red wine, in particular, was reported as a trigger by more than 77% of those who reported alcohol as a trigger.
Dehydration caused by alcohol is a major contributor to headache development.
Chocolate
According to the American Migraine Foundation, chocolate is the second most common migraine trigger after alcohol. According to estimates, it affects approximately 22% of migraine sufferers.Chocolate includes caffeine as well as beta-phenylethylamine, which can cause headaches in some people.
MSG-containing foods
MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, which occurs naturally in human bodies.MSG can be found in certain foods and is used as a food additive in many others. It is considered safe to consume, but some studies have linked it to migraine attacks.According to the American Migraine Foundation, it may cause severe migraine attacks in 10 to 15% of migraine sufferers. Other preservatives could be a trigger as well.
Salted meat
The colour and flavour of cured meats including deli meats, ham, hot dogs, and sausages are preserved by a substance called nitrate. These meals have the ability to cause the blood to release nitric oxide, which is thought to widen blood vessels in the brain.There is some evidence that nitric oxide might trigger or worsen migrainesTrusted Source.
Aging cheeses
Tyramine is a compound found in aged cheeses. It develops when the breakdown of proteins occurs as a result of food ageing.The amount of tyramine in cheese increases with ageing time.Another substance that has been linked to headache and migraine triggers is tyramine. Typical cheeses with high tyramine content include:blue feta cheeseParmesan
Fermented and pickled foods
Pickled and fermented foods, such aged cheeses, can have a lot of tyramine in them. These foods consist of:Kimchi pickles kombucha (which can also have alcoholic content)Pickled jalapenos and okra
Canned goods
Eaten frozen foods and beverages, such as ice cream or slushies, can cause intense, stabbing headaches.The three situations where you’re most likely to get headaches that turn into migraine attacks are eating cold food quickly, right after working out, or when you’re overheated.
Salty dishes
Some people may have migraines as a result of eating salty meals, particularly manufactured salty foods that may include hazardous preservatives.High sodium intake can raise blood pressure, which can lead to headaches or migraines.migraine medicationA combination of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be used to treat migraines.
Migraine medication
A combination of prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and complementary therapies may be used to treat migraines.You can use over-the-counter painkillers like Excedrin Migraine to treat sporadic headache or migraine pain. To treat pain, your doctor might also recommend triptans.If you frequently encounter migraine attacks, your doctor may probably recommend preventative drugs. Beta-blockers, which can lower blood pressure and lessen migraine attacks, may be one of these.Even in people who do not have depression, antidepressants are occasionally taken to stop the symptoms of migraines.
There is proof that some unconventional treatments can aid in the treatment of migraine. These consist of:
- massage therapy may reduce migraine attack frequency.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), which can help avoid migraine attacks, and biofeedback, which teaches you how to monitor your body’s reactions to stress, such as muscle tightness
- supplements with magnesium
Prospects and precautions
Migraine attacks can be excruciatingly unpleasant and disrupt your life. Fortunately, there are several lifestyle adjustments and practises you may take to help prevent them.
These are some examples:
- eating on a regular basis and never skipping meals
- lowering your coffee intake and getting enough sleep
- lowering stress in your life by practising yoga, mindfulness, or meditation limiting the amount of time you spend gazing at bright lights or being in direct sunshine, all of which can produce sensory migraine
- taking “screen breaks” from television, computer, and other devices on a regular basis
- Using an elimination diet will help you identify any dietary allergies or intolerances that may be headache triggers
