Foods to avoid during migraine and headaches

There are certain foods to avoid during migraine which seem most effective means of prevention. Generally, head pain are regarded as headaches, but when it comes to migraine, it seems a special type of head pain or headache.

Migraine seems sharp and quite throbbing and is likely to take place suddenly and often times accompanied by blurred vision, vomiting or nausea. There are some things that could trigger or cause head pain. They are quite numerous and sometimes appears to be something unimportant. And on other hand, it could be the initial sign of a tumor or a brain disease that seems serious.

In this post, we’re focusing on the foods to avoid during migraine and be that as it may, it is noteworthy that there are no foods that are able to halt, prevent or even cure migraines or headaches. However, there are certain foods that are able to trigger or cause them.

In essence, reducing or eliminating the intake of these foods can be seen as the effective ways to prevent migraines or headaches, once other causes such as organic ones have been done away with. Potential organic cause of headaches or migraines can be tumor or arterial aneurysms.

Additionally, other factors which can aggravate migraine are:

1. Nervous tension
2. Allergies
3. Menstruation
4. Stress

Nutrients or Foods to Reduce or Eliminate

The following are the list of foods to avoid during migraine, their purposes and effects and the reason why we should reduce or eliminate the intake of these foods.

They are:

1. Additives
2. Alcoholic Beverages
3. Wine
4. Beer
5. Cured cheese
6. Shellfish
7. Chocolate
8. Proteins
9. Stimulant Beverages
10. Ice Cream
11. Citrus fruits
12. White sugar
13. Dairy Products
14. Cured Meats

Additives

One of the flavor enhancers known as monosodium glutamate has been tagged as one of the most factors responsible for headaches and migraines. It is usually used when making Chinese cuisine and the head pain this flavor causes is now seen as part of Chinese restaurant syndrome.

Again, there is another sweetener known as aspartame which is capable of causing headache. Therefore, these flavors or chemical sweeteners should be considered as one of the nutrients or foods to avoid during migraine.

Alcoholic Beverages

Due to the effects of ethyl alcohol on its own and coupled with certain contaminants or additives, alcohol beverages are prone to cause migraine or headaches.

Of all these substances, methyl alcohol is quite prominent of them all and very toxic than ethyl alcohol and is readily contained in several liquors. They are capable of aggravating migraines and headaches. Therefore, alcoholic beverages should be seen as one of the foods to avoid during migraine.

Wine

When making or preparing wines, the chemical additives employed during the process are being enhanced by the alcohol effect itself are some primary causes of migraine. Therefore winemaking process involves chemical additives which can trigger or aggravate migraine.

Beer

Findings at Charing Cross Hospital in London proves that alcoholic beer is one of the causes of migraine. Although, there are no findings or studies about nonalcoholic drinks or beer but it is imperative and helpful to avoid the intake especially during migraine.

Cured Cheeses

Cured cheeses hold tyramine which is a potent vasoconstrictor capable of aggravating migraine. It is also advisable to shun cured cheeses since it is seen one of the foods to avoid during migraine.

Shellfish

Due to the toxins contained in shellfish, they tend to cause migraines. Again, shellfish tends to cause allergies.

Chocolate

There are three substances in chocolate that cause migraines and vasoconstriction. Among them is phenol ethanol which is the master of them all, then followed by theobromine and caffeine. The last two also tend to constrict the arteries. As it is, we consider chocolate as one of the foods to avoid during migraine.

Other Foods to avoid during Headaches

Proteins

Studies show that proteins from animals tend to cause or trigger migraine. It is therefore recommended to not dwell on foods high in protein especially during migraine or better still avoid foods that are mightily rich in protein.

Stimulant Beverages

Stimulant Beverages are tagged as one of the foods to avoid during migraine because of the caffeine content. Although the caffeine is part of the ingredients in various remedies for headaches and migraines, it is capable of aggravating the migraine. Also note that heavy drinkers of coffee, tea or mate encounter headaches and migraines more often.

Ice cream

It said that the cold stimulation provided by ice cream on the pharynx and palate can aggravate migraine. During migraine it is imperative to avoid ice cream.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits may cause migraine or headaches in individuals suffering from disorder of the gallbladder. According to everydayhealth.com, others foods that can trigger migraines are peanuts, beans etc.

White sugar

Eating or consuming sweets prepared from refined sugar aggravate sharp decrease or increase in glycemia level that can possibly cause headaches or migraine. Therefore, white sugar is one of the products or substances used in drinks or foods to avoid during migraine.

Dairy Products

If you’re one of the individuals who are lactose-intolerant, you may likely suffer headaches or migraines after consuming dairy products or after drinking milk.

Cured Meats

Cured meats contain nitrites and nitrates and some of these foods such as sausages, ham aggravate migraines. Since cured meats and the likes are seen as foods to avoid during migraine, it is imperative to reduce or eliminate their intake.

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