Foods That Trigger Migraines
Headache is a common problem that people suffer due to several environmental, mental, and physical conditions. A migraine is a severe form of headache that is accompanied by vomiting as well as sensitivity to sound and light. These types of headaches are usually directed towards a particular area of the head and can differ in terms of its intensity. Furthermore, the condition requires having a nutritional diet and eliminating certain foods that aggravate the pain. Here is the list of foods triggers for migraine whose consumption needs to be checked.
Processed foods
The presence of monosodium glutamate in various pre-cooked food, sauces, and salad dressings often triggers migraine pain in patients suffering from the disease. This is due to the fact that too much glutamate causes severe stimulation of the nerve cells, leading to unstable actions, excitement, and more symptoms like headache, numbness, weakness, and muscle tightness.
Preserved meat
Among the food triggers for migraine, cured meats like hot dogs, sausages, and ham should be completely avoided. These foods include preservatives, known as nitrates that aid in protecting the color and flavor of the meat. The preservative also leads to the release of nitric acid in the blood vessel, causing dilation of the blood vessel present in the brain, leading to migraine-related pain.
Old cheese
In the list of food triggers for migraine, the consumption of aged cheese needs to be restricted. This is due to the fact that the fermentation process of cheese like parmesan, cheddar, and more elevates the level of tyramine as well as phenylethylamine amino acids in the food that leads to migraine pain. However, if you intend to eat cheese, eat farmer, cottage, and ricotta cheese, as they include a lower level of tyramine.
Alcohol
The consumption of alcohol widens the blood vessels that elevate blood flow in the brain, causing headaches. Additionally, the liquid also overpowers any testosterone that aid in balancing the estrogen, causing imbalance and consequent migrant attacks. Furthermore, the beverage even slows down the function of the liver, leading to a spike in the blood sugar level and poor brain functioning.
Chocolate
The popular dessert is a problem for people suffering from migraines. It includes a combination of tyramine and phenylethylamine that are biogenic amines, which easily messes up with the brain cells and cause pain.
Lemon and other citrus fruits
These are also food triggers for migraine, and hence need to be eliminated from the diet. However, you can opt for freshly squeezed juice, but that too requires to be consumed within a few minutes after it is extracted to keep its nutritional value intact.
Furthermore, to counteract daily headaches, reducing the amount of caffeine from the daily diet and eliminating all types of artificial sweeteners can also help in reducing migraine attacks. Therefore, if you suffer from this condition, make sure to avoid the consumption of these food triggers for migraine.