What foods tend to trigger migraines? Cheese and chocolate Cheese and chocolate are the most common foods that cause migraines and are both rich in the amino acid tyrosine. Some migraine sufferers have a reduced ability to break down tyrosine, which increases the amount of tyrosine in the body and promotes the synthesis of prostaglandins, which act directly on the blood vessels in the head to cause strong diastole and eventually lead to headache attacks. Other foods rich in tyrosine include: citrus, pineapple, fava beans, tomatoes, red wine, tuna, animal offal, and various dairy products. Alcoholic beverages I believe that many people have experienced headaches after getting drunk, which means that alcoholic beverages can also cause migraines. The reason is that alcohol itself has the effect of dilating blood vessels and stimulating prostaglandin synthesis, while beer, white wine and fruit wine are also rich in tyrosine, which, compared to cheese and chocolate, exacerbates the headache attack in a two-pronged way. Soy sauce and MSG Soy sauce is important in Chinese cooking because it “adds color and flavor”. However, foreign reports indicate that about 3% of Westerners who eat Chinese food experience headaches and facial constriction, called “Chinese food syndrome,” which is caused by the monosodium glutamate in soy sauce. The main ingredient of MSG is also monosodium glutamate, so migraine sufferers who are sensitive to glutamate should not consume too much soy sauce or MSG to avoid triggering headaches. Vitamin A Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the human body and plays a role in protecting night vision, increasing resistance and fighting cancer. However, numerous studies have shown that high amounts of vitamin A can cause intense headaches, triggered by a process similar to the action of tyrosine in the body. It is known that animal offal, especially liver, is rich in vitamin A. There are also animal foods such as fish, seafood, cream and eggs, some of which are suspected to have allergic factors. Coffee and strong tea Many people find that drinking a cup of coffee or strong tea when they have a headache can ease the pain. Unfortunately, the caffeine in coffee and strong tea can also give you a headache, especially if you consume caffeine regularly but don’t drink it for a while. Also, large amounts of caffeine will excessively constrict blood vessels, stimulate the nervous system, and interfere with sleep. Ice Cream About 90% of migraine sufferers experience a transient headache after consuming ice cream or swallowing a cold drink quickly, and more sensitive ones can even trigger pain in specific areas by placing crushed ice directly on the palate or back of the throat. Slightly different from the previous food groups, ice cream does not act with the help of specific biological substances in the body, but simply because the patient’s blood vessels are dysregulated and overreact to cold stimuli, resulting in spasms. It is often not easy to identify the foods that cause migraines, and although the more common “culprits” have been described above, the actual situation varies from person to person. For migraineurs who have difficulty identifying, try keeping a diary of the foods eaten each day in chronological order, so that if a headache strikes, the foods eaten in the previous 24 hours become the “suspects. Repeat this several times, and you will often find the food that really triggers the migraine. What can migraineurs eat? In addition to avoiding the foods mentioned above, a moderate intake of certain other nutrients can be beneficial in preventing migraines. Vitamin B protects the cardiovascular and nervous systems and relieves stress and emotions, so eating foods rich in vitamin B, such as lean meats, cereals, soybeans and peanuts, can be beneficial in preventing migraines. The antioxidant effect of vitamin C can also maintain the normal metabolism of the body in a state of tension, which helps to reduce emotional tension-induced migraines. Magnesium, a mineral that also regulates blood flow and relaxes muscles and blood vessels, can be supplemented by eating cereals, nuts and seeds (such as sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts), cauliflower and tofu. The American Headache Foundation recommends that migraine patients should supplement with 500-750 mg of magnesium daily. It is important to note that excessive magnesium intake can cause diarrhea. Migraine sufferers need to eat well because migraine itself is affected by many factors, so prevention requires not only a clean and quiet living environment, a regular life and moderate exercise, and a good mood, but also a good diet. A well-balanced diet with low salt and fat, moderate vitamin and mineral supplementation, and avoidance of foods that may trigger migraines – this is the best way to keep migraines away from you.
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