The 5 Most Common Migraine-Triggering Foods and Drinks: A Complete Guide

2024-01-10 10:44:00

Reading time: 2 min — Spotted on HuffPost

If the causes of migraines are still relatively poorly understood by science, it has however been shown that certain behaviors can promote their appearance, at least in people for whom this ground is fertile. In particular, a poorly chosen diet can have a disastrous impact on the frequency and intensity of these excruciating headache attacks – which are often accompanied by other symptoms, from nausea to dizziness.

HuffPost warns us once morest five types of foods and drinks likely to roll out the red carpet for our next migraine. It starts with alcoholic drinks, which we know have a propensity to cause headaches if we abuse them. But for some people, a single drink can be enough to trigger hostilities, without specialists having yet fully understood why.

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All types of alcohol are potentially affected: some individuals say that only wine causes them migraines, while others only blame strong alcohol. The fact remains that it is red wine which is most frequently cited, which is very probably linked to the presence of tyrannya chemical compound whose assimilation in too large quantities can promote hypertension… or migraines.

Watch out for cheese

Chocolate is also singled out, and particularly dark chocolate, which is also rich in tyramine. No study has yet conclusively established the existence of a cause and effect link between its consumption and the triggering of migraines. Because if many patients explain having eaten chocolate (or candy) before their attack occurs, neurologists wonder: is the sudden desire to gobble sweets a cause, or rather a first symptom of a migraine attack?

Caffeine is also at the center of the debate: HuffPost reminds us that the best way to combat migraine is not to consume too much… without avoiding it completely. It actually happens that caffeine is used in the treatment of migraine patients. On the other hand, consumed in too large quantities, it has the same effects as alcohol: it dehydrates and causes migraines at the same time. It is therefore recommended that patients at risk limit themselves to a daily cup of coffee, if possible taken at the same time each day.

More surprisingly, aged cheeses are also likely to help migraines set in. Main explanation: they also contain tyramine, which develops as fermentation continues. From cheddar to gorgonzola and a plethora of French specialties, it is therefore strongly advised not to consume a lot of this type of cheese.

Finally, processed meats should also be banned, particularly due to the presence of nitrates and nitrites, which can cause a change in blood pressure. But the author of the article, Alexandra Emanuelli, says that anyone experiencing migraines should look for their own triggers, especially what they eat or drink. She explains that her personal kryptonites are blue and white wine, while her brother must avoid artificial sweeteners at all costs.

The journalist also indicates that another dietary behavior must be prohibited: fasting. In the conclusions from a study dating from 2018we might read that this practice was “one of the most recognized and studied natural triggers” migraine, especially if the fasting phase drags on. For some people, skipping one or two meals may even be enough. To save your head, it is therefore prudent to sit down to eat.

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