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Common Foods that Trigger Migraines

By Sara Butler

Migraines are a terrible thing to live in fear of. You may not know when the next will strike and take you down for hours, a whole day, or more. That’s why, if you suffer from migraines, you need to try to identify your triggers. For many people, foods are a big trigger for this kind of headache. Here are some of the most common migraine triggers in your kitchen. Could one of them be the suspect behind the terrible pain in your head?

Aged Cheese

Researchers have drawn the conclusion that aged cheeses have high levels of an amino acid called tyramine that can impact blood vessels in your body and trigger a migraine. Foods with high levels of this amino acid include:

  • Cheddar cheese
  • Swiss cheese
  • Salami
  • Tofu
  • Sauerkraut

Basically, any food that is aged, pickled, dried, smoked or cured can be a trigger for your migraines. So, if you notice a migraine after you partake of a hard cheese or something else on this list, then you may have found your migraine trigger.

Chocolate

This one could be a real bummer for a lot of people, but the sad truth is that chocolate can be a migraine trigger. This is due to one of two ingredients in chocolate: Flavonoids or phenylethylamine. If you’re already sensitive to migraines, then it might be one of these things that are triggering yours.

Fried, Fatty Foods

This one may not be as difficult to swallow as the news about chocolate since giving up fried, fatty foods should be on your to-do list anyway! But, it’s still interesting to note that fat can impact your migraine status. This is due to the fact that some fats in the blood trigger the production of prostaglandins, and these can cause your blood vessels to dilate, leading to migraines as well as increased pain.

If you eat a diet high in fat (69 grams or more a day) and suffer from headaches, this may be the reason why. So, cut down on that fat intake if you suffer from migraines.

Certain Chinese Foods

Many Chinese foods out there contain a flavor enhancer called monosodium glutamate, which you may be more familiar with as MSG. MSG has been a well-documented cause of migraines for a while now, but it may not just be the MSG that is causing the problem. These foods also tend to be high in fat and salt, which can also trigger migraines. The point is that if you notice that you have headaches after eating, look for MSG in the food – that might be your culprit.

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.

 

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