Foods that Cause and Prevent Migraines
A migraine is a type of primary headache disorder marked by recurring headaches that can range from moderate to severe, and tend to affect one side of the head. Migraine symptoms include pulsating pain that can last a few hours to a few days, vomiting, light sensitivity, and vision issues. Although the exact cause of migraines is unknown, doctors agree that brief changes in brain activity can cause an onset. Research shows that certain foods can potentially trigger a migraine headache. In fact, roughly 10% of migraine sufferers report headaches after they consume specific foods. Identifying your trigger foods can help you prevent the onset of a migraine: 1. Cheese and tomatoes Cheese contains tyramine, a natural compound that is a known migraine trigger. Some types of cheese are higher in tyramine than others, mainly aged cheeses including cheddar, swiss, brie, feta, blue, and mozzarella. Tomatoes also contain tyramine, making this fruit and all related products, best avoided by anyone suffering from migraine headaches. Sorry, but this includes pizza! Many migraine symptoms develop after consuming tyramine so be sure to avoid it to keep migraines out of your life. 2. Nuts and seeds Nuts and seeds offer a healthy snacking option for many people, however, they’re also known to cause migraine headaches.