Migraine headaches are a disease that affects a lot of people and it is not yet known what are the exact causes of migraine headaches. A lot of research institutes identified a number of migraine headache causes and among those causes they include food as a major factor. Food can certainly play an important role for the existence of migraine headaches. This article is about foods that trigger migraines and what you can do to prevent the crisis.
The food seems to affect the frequency and intensity of migraines in some people. Often, people with migraines are sensitive to some foods. However, the exclusion of specific foods is not a formally accepted treatment for migraines.
Why do some foods trigger migraines?
One theory is that some foods may release certain chemicals, which can lead to migraines. The tyramine (found in cheese), the fainylaithylamini (found in chocolate), the tyrosine, glutamic mononatrio (used in Chinese food), aspartame, caffeine, sulphites – nitrites (found in processed meat) appears to be involved in causing migraines.
Also, different types of food cause varying degrees of vasodilatation or vasoconstriction, which can cause headaches. Another theory argues that some foods stimulate specific regions of the brain, leading to migraines. Nevertheless, the scientific literature does not lead to the formulation of clear conclusion.
What foods can trigger migraines?
A study of 577 people suffering from migraines showed that the foods more closely associated with their headaches was cheese, chocolate, red wine and beer. Another research found that the headache was common in patients with no resistance to gluten, with or without histological findings of intestinal lesions. Also other foods that trigger migraines are all nuts, the peanut butter, vinegar, prepared sauces (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise), the avocado and animal intestines.
Second, the interruption of use of caffeine may cause headaches in some people, so consumption should not be exaggerated. The interruption of even a cup of coffee (or 2 cups of tea or 3 soft drink of type cola) can cause muscle pain, fatigue, fainting and headache.
Other established research about foods that trigger migraines showed that the following foods types are suspects for a migraine headaches crisis.
The chocolate
Cheese
Spirits
Coffee
Seafood
Citrus
Many experts also believe that those who manifest migraine after consumption of these foods may have an enzyme deficiency in fainolsoulfotransferasi (PST).
This enzyme has the capacity to neutralize a group of substances called amines that exist in large quantities in the above foods. But when the enzyme is missing from the body, then the levels of amines increase, stimulating the platelet agglutination (blood) in the brain, giving a mandate to initiate migraine.
The rates with which different foods trigger migraines are:
74% chocolate
47% cheese
30% citrus
18% fat and fried
15% tea and coffee
14% meat, especially pork
10% of seafood
Supplements to help reverse the effects of foods on migraine headaches
In the treatment of migraines a lot of supplements has been used including riboflavin, magnesium, and Tanacetum parthenium. The large doses of riboflavin (400 mg / daily) were well tolerated with minimal side effects and were quite effective, since their headaches decreased significantly. The effect is maximized after taking the supplement for at least 3 months. High dose of magnesium (600 mg / daily) can reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraine by 40% after 12 weeks. The most secure form of the supplement is considered the magnesium citrate. Finally, the investigations so far do not lead to a safe conclusion about the effectiveness of Tanacetum parthenium in the treatment of migraine.
Furthermore, it is believed that omega-3 fatty acids of fish and ginger can help those who suffer from migraines because of antihistamines and anti-inflammatory properties.
How to do to identify which foods help trigger migraines
The first step is to keep a food diary. Record what you eat and drink, but all your natural symptoms. It is very important to note the time you eat. After a month, read your calendar and look for recurring patterns. If you believe that you have discovered a link between eating and headaches, try to restrict the food for a month and watch the progress of symptoms. Keep in mind however that the various food manufacturers add different materials e.g. chocolate, explaining why a brand can cause you headache, and another not.
Foods that help prevent migraine headaches
The salmon, spinach, the ginger, mushrooms, according to several established research could help prevent migraine headaches crisis.
Other factors that can trigger a migraine headache crisis are:
Alcohol and red wine in particular.
Smoking.
Stress and fatigue.
Abnormal vision, misapplication of eye glasses.
Physical and sexual activity. (The headache after orgasm is usually harmless, but if it is intense and persists may indicate bleeding)
Changes in sleeping and eating hours.
Changes of time, weather, long journeys.
Hormonal changes. Menopause. Replacement therapy with estrogen.
Strong lights, strong noise, strong perfumes, and polluted air.
There are a lot of types of foods that trigger migraines. It is important to keep a dairy and log what you eat and drink before the emerge of a migraine headache crisis. You can then remove temporarily those foods from your diet and see if the problem still exists. In any case you need to get consultation from a professional doctor to help you find the right treatment for migraine headaches.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I am on BP medication. I am NOT overweight, but constantly have headaches. I have recently develop stomach disorder, heartburn, abdominal and general body pains. Most often when I experience stomach disorder then comes the headaches. I rely on over-the-counter pains killers to relief my headache.
Kindly advise me please.
Thank you
I love your comments on this subject.Could you please shed some light on the issue of flu.the common col.
preventive measures.
it is helpfull to me to more about migraine headaches symptoms, causes , treatment relief because it is
my problem
it is helpfull for me to know more about migraine headaches symptoms, causes, treatment , relief because it is my problem.
thanks
Manasseh,
Digestive problems are so very often caused by a lack of digestive enzymes. Continued lack of them causes malabsorption of nutrients and ensuing irritation/inflammation of tissues…Try digestive enzymes (capsules available in health food stores) everyday to relieve your digestive disorders. OTC pain relievers are temporary bandaids and actually irritate the stomach too. Once you are digesting and absorbing foods properly, be very mindful of foods that continue to set off headaches. Nutrition and diet is the foundation of well being. Feel better soon!
Thank you so much for this information!! I have been struggling with migranes for over 20 years. In fact I’m on medication because of it. I know strong smells are one of the contributers, but other times I have no idea, have thought seasonal winds – allergies were the other contributions. I can see food playing a big part because it always seems like I have a lingering headache that could start as a tension headache or could go to full blown migrane depending on the day. If I were to start taking Omega 3′s, ginger and magnesium citrate as supplements, would this start helping??? This is not normally in my diet. Any help would be greatly appreciated
thank you so much for this information!! I have been struggling with migranes for over 20 years. In fact I’m on medication because of it. I know strong smells are one of the contributers, but other times I have no idea, but thought seasonal winds – allergies were the other contributions. I can see food playing a big part because it always seems like I have a lingering headache that could just start as a tension headache or go away or could go full blown migrane depending on the day. If I was to start taking Omega 3′s, ginger and magnesium citrate as supplements would this start helping??? This is normally not in my diet. Any help would be greatly appreciated
I have had headaches for a long while but i found out that stomach problems was mainly the problem. Try enzymes to help your food to digest . I don’t have headaches anymore . I hope this will help. BE BLESSED !
Hi LaNora,
Omega-3′s are good for everyone…esp if your diet doesn’t contain salmon and flax regualrly. Ginger is thought to be good to increase the stomach juices and aid with digestion/absorption of nutrients, but still is not a substitute for the enzymes needed to digest all foods. Magnesium supplements do help with calming the nervous system and muscles, also helping with sleep. Excessive Mag citrate does have a laxative effect though, so magnesium ascorbate might be more gentle on your system.
I had migraines for 50+ years, was also on meds, but now am just eating well and taking some supplements. Had to start supplements to get my system ready to gradually decrease and get off the rx’s.
Hi:
I suffer greatly from migraines, and Im trying to control what I eat in order to avoid them, but I have three questions:
What sort of fruit and cheese is ok to eat that will not trigger migraine?
What relation is there between having migraine and having to urinate very often? Usually when I get migraines I find mysellf having to go to the bathroom around six or seven times an hour.
If I have a craving for a certain food should I eat it or avoid it?
How should I take ginger, the way they serve it at the japanese restaurants, or boil the root, or how?
Migraines ruin important events and progress in my life, I am very interested in knowing how to stop them. Thankyou
Hi! I have been searching for an article like this for over 20 years. I do get migraines from the above foods but along with the migraines, I will have a period of depression, fatigue, and lower immunity. Once it’s out of my system; I’m fine. Does this go along with the above explanation of an enzyme deficiency, and where can I find even more information? Thanks so much.
Denise
Enzyme production decreases as we get older, and the main dietary source is raw foods, especially greens and root vegetables. When we cook food we destroy the natural enzymes in the food, so most people ingesting the bulk of their food as cooked and processed eventually overdo their own enzyme production. By mid to late 30′s this happens and people start complaining of indigestion, food sensitivities, stomach and other problems like headaches, fatigue. Foods become irritants if we can’t digest them properly. Look at Garden of Life Omegazymes. Great product. I read an article recently on migraines and the enzyme connection. google it.
The ginger can be taken in tea form, dried natural crystallized ginger as a snack, sliced or grated into foods and also found as a supplement. Easiest thing is to cook with it , snack on it and drink ginger teas… Yogi teas has a nice lemon ginger tea.
I’m a Holistic Health nutritionist, nurturespath.com and nurturespath2.com
hi! really thankful for the information…..i had been suffering migraine for more years, before i was confused & worried a lot for i dont know what i am suffering. But because of this insight its helps me how to avoid foods that causes migraine. I hope atleast to lessen the pain i suffered from. Continue research for those people needs answers for thier questions. Already consult doctors but still i am suffering, i hope & pray this suffering will gone in jesus name.
Thank you so much & best regards,
Shie
There are so many things that seem to irritate the systems of people prone to migraines…foods, alcohol, sulfites and preservatives, fluctuating and low barometirc pressure with storms,not sleeping enough or at the same times everynight, stress, getting too hungry/eating irregularly,SMELLS(!), caffeine and caffeine withdrawal, soooo the bottom line is to truly balance the body, mind and spirit. Migraines are a message for us that there is an imbalance somewhere. Live and love well, learn how to manage stress, pay attention and nourish as best you can.
Jean