5 Foods to Avoid for Migraines

5 Foods to Avoid for Migraines

Migraine is a health condition that causes severe headaches that can be debilitating. There are many reasons for migraines; one of them is food triggers. Certain foods can trigger off the symptoms of migraine or make the condition worse. The article lists out the foods to avoid for migraines.

Stress, lack of sleep, and food are some of the factors that can trigger off a migraine attack. There is enough evidence that some foods can act as triggers to worsen the symptoms of migraine. These foods can cause a migraine headache or make an existing headache worse.

Some foods have preservatives, flavorings, and substances like histamines, tyramines, etc., that can trigger a migraine headache. People who suffer from migraines should avoid these foods. They can try avoiding these foods and then introducing them gradually to see if they cause any symptoms to flare up.

  1. Coffee
    One of the foods to avoid for migraines is coffee. This is a bit surprising since coffee can be helpful in reducing migraine headaches. The key here is to moderate the amount of coffee consumed. Excess caffeine can trigger migraine symptoms. This happens with some people and not everyone. The solution is not to skip the coffee. This can cause withdrawal symptoms that can be even worse. It is best to limit oneself to two cups a day.
  2. Alcohol
    Alcohol can be terrible for migraines. It is a known fact that excess alcohol causes hangover headaches. People having migraines can get severe headaches within a few hours of drinking alcohol. Among the various alcoholic beverages, it has been found that red wine is more likely to trigger a migraine headache.
  3. Chocolate
    Chocolate is the favorite food of most people. Sadly, chocolate can trigger off symptoms of migraines. A study showed that 42% of patients suffered a headache by consuming chocolate. This makes the consumption of chocolate risky.
  4. Aged cheese
    Aged cheese contains a substance called tyramine. This is produced when tyrosine, an amino acid in the cheese, is broken down during the aging process. When tyramine levels in the blood increase, it can cause migraine headaches. Tyramine is also found in products like yeast, wine, and some types of processed foods. There are no conclusive studies regarding this, but the fact remains that many people experience worsening of symptoms due to consuming aged cheese. Foods containing MSG (monosodium glutamate), processed meats, artificial sweeteners, and gluten can trigger migraines in some people.
  5. Foods to watch out for
    There are some healthy foods that are good for general health. Some of these foods can be a trigger factor for migraine symptoms in some people. If these foods aggravate migraine symptoms, then they need to be avoided. The foods include dairy products, beans, peanuts and tree nuts, and citrus fruits.

The article listed the foods to avoid for migraines. These foods are known to be triggers that can worsen the symptom of migraine. Migraine patients need to change their diet and ensure these foods are avoided.