Common
Migraine Food Triggers
No one
knows for sure what causes migraine headaches. The most likely to
answer to-date is that a serious of small irritations or reactions
pile up until, finally, a migraine headache is triggered. Migraine
triggers are different for each individual, but many migraineurs
claim that a particular food or combination of foods will push them
over the edge into a headache.
Keep
in mind that most science disagrees with migraineurs when it comes to
food triggers. There are no conclusive studies indicating a link
between certain foods and migraine headaches, so all information is
anecdotal. The thing is there is a lot, tons in fact, of anecdotal
evidence for the link.
While
a migraine trigger food can be, quite literally, anything, some foods
come up on the trigger list for enough people to merit discussion.
Cheese
Cheese
is a major trigger for many migraineurs. Particularly likely to
cause an attack are hard or aged cheeses. Soft cheeses like cream
cheese and new cheeses seem to be fine and unlikely to cause
problems.
Processed
Meats
Nitrates
are believed by many to be a major migraine trigger. For most
people, the most common source of nitrates is processed meat, items
like hot dogs, sausage, bacon, processed lunchmeats, etc.
Condiments
Salad
dressings are a trigger for many. The reason is not known, but is
probably tied to a combination of other triggers all coming together
in one place.
Spices
and Additives
Any
spice can be a trigger. Spices as triggers may be tied, at least
partially, to scent sensitivity, since many spices have a pungent
odor. Seasonings that seem to give migraineurs the most trouble
include monosodium glutamate (MSG), common in Asian foods, artificial
sweeteners, food dyes, and vinegar.
Migraineurs
who suspect a food trigger should consider trying an elimination diet
to pinpoint the trigger food(s).
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