Foods Linked to Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are experienced by 25 percent of women, eight percent of men and five percent to 10 percent of children and teens, notes the Journal of the American Medical Association. Migraine headaches typically last from 30 minutes to six hours. However, some migraines can last for several days, notes Kidshealth.org. There are a wide range of causes for migraine headaches. Some foods cause dilation of the blood vessels, which can trigger migraine headaches, reports the American Headache Society.

Alcohol use has been linked to migraine headaches. Red wine is a common trigger for a migraine headache. Also, high and also low levels of caffeine have been linked to migraine headaches reports the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Aspartame causes migraine headaches in some people. This artificial sweetener is used in a wide variety of processed foods and beverages. Fast food and restaurant food also sometimes contains aspartame. Also, canned soups are linked to the development of migraine headaches, notes Kidshealth.org.

Foods that contain tyramine cause migraine headaches. This chemical can trigger a migraine on an ongoing basis or only occasionally. Foods with this chemical include beans, certain varieties of smoked fish and aged cheeses, notes the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Foods with nitrates such as hot dogs and processed lunch meats that contain sulfites are known to trigger migraine headaches. Also, eating fried foods can cause a spike in migraine occurrence. Foods with MSG are also a common trigger for migraine headaches, notes the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The beta-phenylethylamine in chocolate is a trigger for a migraine headache, reports the American Headache Society. Also ice cream is linked to experiencing an episode of a migraine headache, notes Kidshealth.org. Pizza is also a known trigger for a migraine headache. These food triggers can either cause a migraine on an occasional basis or bring a migraine on regularly.

Sources:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/301/24/2608.pdf

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/brain_nervous/migraines.html

http://www.achenet.org/education/ControversiesinHeadacheMedicineMigrainePreventionDiets.asp