Migraines are severe headaches that debilitate a person, often making them prone to irritability, and anger. Yet many people move on with their daily work. Almost one in four people, including children, suffer from migraines. Even though there is no concrete evidence of a cure for migraines, it can be avoided by watching what one eats. Below are top foods that trigger migraines, and it wise to stay away from them.
- Caffeine
It might sound dubious, as many people would like to clear their headache with a hot mug of coffee. However, research suggests that caffeine is addictive and can bring on a headache when not consumed. Doctors recommend that people suffering from regular migraines decrease caffeine consumption and increase breathing exercises and water consumption to avoid withdrawal and frequent migraines. - Alcohol
Scientifically, it is true that alcohol, when consumed up-to a certain amount, helps alleviate headaches. However, alcohol, like caffeine, does induce a withdrawal, which can potentially trigger a migraine. It is necessary to reduce the frequency and amount of consumption of alcohol for regular drinkers. - Aged cheese and cultured dairy products
Aged cheese and cultured dairy products, such as sour cream, clabber, yogurt, buttermilk, acidophilus milk, koumiss, and kefir, contain tyramine. Tyramine causes migraines. Our bodies are capable of processing tyramine naturally with the help of an enzyme called monoamine. However, when the body does not have enough of these enzymes, headaches along with migraines occur. - Processed meat
Processed and cured meats, such as bacon, salami, ham, and other deli meats, contain nitrates and nitrites, which cause the blood vessels to swell and cause migraines. These kinds of meat also have a high amount of tyramine which trigger a migraine. It is better to stick to old-fashioned meat to stay away from migraine. - Chocolate
With all its profound effects on the mind, chocolate is still considered an unlikely food that triggers migraines. The presence of caffeine and beta-phenylethylamine in chocolate triggers migraines. According to the American Migraine Foundation, chocolate is the second most common trigger for people with migraines. - Frozen foods
Consuming frozen foods and beverages such as ice creams, or slashes can potentially induce severe stabbing pains and migraine. Usually, headaches occur before developing into a migraine. This occurs when the body temperature is either normal or heated up due to workout or everyday activities, is suddenly introduced to very cold foods. - Salty processed foods
Packaged foods such as chips, fries, and anything salty and loaded with preservatives are highly likely to trigger migraines due to the high sodium levels present in them. - Fermented foods and pickles
Similar to aged cheese, pickles and fermented foods contain tyramine with trigger migraines. Foods such as kimchi, kombucha, pickled okra, radish, jalapeños, and chilies have to avoided at all costs. - Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Foods containing monosodium glutamate as an additive or ingredient can potentially trigger a migraine. Even though many people suffering from migraines may not have experienced migraines after consumption of MSG, the American Migraine Foundation reports that it can trigger severe migraines among 10 to 15 percent of the people who suffer migraines.
