8 Foods That Trigger Migraines
A migraine can cause a severe pulsing sensation and throbbing pain in usually one side of your head. It is often accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. While certain medications may help to reduce migraine frequency (look for Qulipta savings card offer and Nurtec savings card buzzrx online), or ask your doctor about treatment options. Here are some common migraine food triggers.
1. Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the foods that trigger migraines. Although caffeine itself is not responsible for causing migraines, consuming too much of it is known to trigger something known as a caffeine rebound. Its side effects can be even severe, and sometimes, even worse than migraine.
2. Artificial sweeteners
Several foods and drinks contain artificial sweeteners as an alternative to sugar. Many studies have found that sweeteners like aspartame can instantly trigger a migraine and even worsen existing migraine conditions.
3. Aged cheese
Aged cheese, such as Parmesan, brie, Swiss, blue, feta, and mozzarella, are migraine food triggers for the simple reason that they contain tyramine. It is formed when the aging of cheese leads to a breakdown of proteins. High levels of tyramine can trigger severe headaches.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate has epidemiologically been known to trigger migraine attacks. It has been reported as a reason behind migraine headaches in 2 to 22 percent of patients. As per an explanation, flavanols in chocolate stimulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, which may result in vasodilatation, which, in turn, leads to migraines.
5. Frozen foods
In the case of certain frozen food items like ice cream, cold stimulation of the pharynx or palate takes place, which can lead to severe headaches. Consumption of frozen food can also cause the blood vessels in the brain to swell, thereby causing a migraine.
6. Fermented foods
Food like kimchi, miso, kombucha, tempeh, and even pickled items like pickles, pickled jalapenos, and pickled okra, have a high tyramine content. So these food items are known to trigger migraine episodes.
7. Sodium-rich foods
Salty food items are known to cause a spike in blood pressure, which can, at a later stage, cause headaches. If not treated on time, this can trigger migraine episodes as well.
8. Processed foods
Processed foods contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a flavor enhancer. These food items include soups, seasonings, certain snacks, canned foods, and many others. MSG is known to trigger severe migraine episodes in 10 to 15 percent of sufferers.
In case you have frequent headaches, especially on one side of your head, then it is essential that you get yourself checked. Also, be particular about your diet and avoid the migraine food triggers mentioned above.