Headaches served fresh!
As far as we can tell, out of all the “aches” out there, a headache is definitely the most annoying in terms of discomfort, it’s also where your brain is and it hurts. A headache takes place when blood vessels, nerves, and even muscles in your head or neck get irritated.
For the wide majority of people, some of the most common triggers include stress, dehydration, and skipping a meal, which can bring a headache to the table, so to speak. However, if you suffer from migraines, you are also more prone to frequent and intense headaches that usually come with a full package.
All kinds of things can trigger migraines, and as it turns out, some foods are the main culprits. It’s generally worth noting that not all of the listed foods will make your head throb after one bite. If you are not prone to migraines and you eat them in moderation, you will probably be fine. Here are some of the main foods that might cause you headaches:
Cheese
Cheese is hands down one of the greatest indulgences that make everyday life so worth living and most of us are crazy over it. However, cheese doesn’t seem to love us back, at least not as much.
When it comes to cheese, especially aged ones, such as brie, swiss, parmesan, blue, and cheddar have high levels of tyramine, which is a compound formed from the breakdown of the amino acid tyrosine. This chemical also causes blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, which could result in a pounding headache and migraine.
Chocolate
Here’s to another one of those fine things we love. Unfortunately, this one can, too, make our lives more difficult. That chocolate bar you had might be the cause of that throbbing headache you have.
According to a study, chocolate is also among the most popular food triggers reported by patients with migraines. It has all the compounds that are highly likely to trigger, such as caffeine, beta-phenylethylamine, and theobromine, all of which cause blood vessels to constrict and trigger that headache.
Alcohol (especially red wine)
Wine nights sound amazing until you wake up with a pounding head. If you know you’re prone to migraines, it’s highly advised to skip drinking red wine because it can rapidly trigger a headache episode. A recent study suggests that a flavonol in red wine known as quercetin, which can be usually found in grapes and other fruits, could be responsible for triggering headaches.
Quercetin also interferes with the body’s capacity to break down alcohol by efficiently blocking the enzyme that metabolizes it. This could result in the buildup of acetaldehyde, a toxin that’s responsible for causing headaches.
Cured meats
Cured meats, such as your hot dogs and bacon, owe their tasty flavor and color to preservatives such as nitrates and nitrites. These can dilate blood vessels, triggering headaches, especially for those who are prone to migraines.
Pickles
Foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles can also trigger headaches. In fact, if it’s fermented or even pickled, then it probably has high doses of tyramine, which can easily trigger migraine attacks in those who are more sensitive.
Ice cream
“Brain freeze” sometimes feels like the inevitable price we sometimes pay for indulging in the cold treat we all adore. As scientists haven’t totally figured out the exact cause, these conditions are widely known as a “cold stimulus” headache.
The current thinking is that it can be linked to the rapid cooling of the palate, which can also trigger temperature-sensitive nerves and cause blood vessels in the roof of your mouth to react, sending a wave of pain to plenty of other areas of your head.
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are quite refreshing and rich in vitamin C, but they can also be the hidden culprits of one of those hour headaches, especially in migraine-prone individuals.
The tangy treats are high in histamine, a chemical that can play a huge role in triggering migraines or even influence their severity in people who are sensitive to it.
Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, work like a charm if you want a smart and guilt-free sweet fix. Unfortunately, they can also come with some less-than-sweet side effects. For some, particularly migraine sufferers, prolonged use of such sugar substitutes can easily trigger headaches, especially migraines.
As the science behind the link between sweeteners and migraine is still somehow muddy, the main theory is that they affect the serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain. Some migraine medications work by simply increasing dopamine levels, which can definitely aid in easing those insufferable migraine symptoms.
On the negative side, consuming aspartame could cause dopamine levels to dip, even leading to a nasty and excruciating headache or even a full-blown migraine.
MSG (monosodium glutamate)
That Chinese takeout could come with a side of headache, thanks to that signature umami kick by the one and only MSG (monosodium glutamate). Studies have proven that MSG, the common flavor enhancer in Asian cuisine, as well as other cuisines and processed foods, can come with a wide number of side effects.
As there have been some studies to prove some individuals are extremely sensitive to MSG, presenting symptoms of headaches and migraine attacks, many of the associations with Chinese food have been debunked and aren’t necessarily connected to a specific cuisine.
Caffeine
Well, I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but your cup of Joe might be exactly what you need to kickstart your morning routine, if you are constantly struggling with migraines, then it can also be your number one enemy.
As a little caffeine can definitely improve your migraines, too much or sudden withdrawal can easily flip the script, leaving you with a pounding migraine. In fact, it’s a fine line between relief and regret, so if you are prone to migraines, you should keep an eye on how much coffee you are downing. Otherwise, you could pay for it later.
Red Dye 40
The synthetic food dye that has been found in everything from the smallest M&M pack to Cherry Coca-Cola is technically safe to eat and doesn’t cause significant harm. At the same time, it has been linked to some intricate health issues such as allergies and migraines.
For those of you who are already prone to migraines, Red Dye 40 could be a trigger, as it can easily mess with neurotransmitters or even trigger an allergic reaction, both of which can lead to headache pain.
Bananas
Bananas, the potassium-rich fruit we love so much, can turn out to be a sneaky headache trigger, especially when they are ripe. Bananas are rich in tyrosine, an amino acid that your body needs to produce essential chemicals such as dopamine, adrenaline, and norepinephrine.
As bananas can soften and get riper, this compound turns into tyramine, which easily sets off migraines for some. We know you might love a good banana after lunch, but if you know you’re prone to migraines, you should stick to the less ripe ones.
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