IF YOU are prone to migraine attacks, you certainly need to avoid foods that can trigger it. Of course, late night sleep and stressful activities are also a strong factor.

Migraine headaches can be very irritating and uncomfortable – most last from four to 72 hours. Symptoms vary - dizziness, nausea, flashing lights and worsening pain during physical activities.

Women are more vulnerable than men. Some studies have concluded that the primary trigger is stress, while food and beverages contribute to 30 percent. Do you know that there are certain foods that can easily trigger migraine?


* Chocolate and coffee. Because of Tyramine ingredient, this can easily trigger severe headache. The percentage is higher in women because they are accustomed to eating chocolate when stressed and during hormonal changes. In fact, stress and hormonal changes are both common headache triggers.

If you’re a coffee lover, try to substitute your espresso and mocha with a decaffeinated one.


* Cold drinks. Commonly referred as brain freeze, a big gulp or strong long sip of cold drink or  ice cream can cause this and usually it will last for about five minutes. The pain occurs when cold foods or drinks touch nerves in your mouth, delivering sensory information from the mouth to the brain.


* MSG. Although considered by some as a flavor enhancer, the feared MSG (monosodium glutamate) is commonly found on processed and junk foods. MSG is also present in meat tenderizer and soy sauce. These preservatives are considered the most common cause of headaches in some people, as they boost blood flow to the brain.

Food containing preservatives include pepperoni, bacon, sausage, ham, hot dogs, processed meats and deli-style meats.

People allergic  to food preservatives  will most likely  suffer from abdominal discomfort, dizziness, facial flushing, chest pressure and a burning sensation in the chest, neck, or shoulders.


* Aged cheese. Once foods age, it is possible for protein to break down. As high-protein food ages, the amount of tyramine  increases, especially in food  that underwent  fermentation process like most of processed cheese in the market - cheddar, Gorgonzola, blue cheeses, Parmesan, Brie, feta, Stilton, Swiss, etc.

Tyramine is very high in cheeses because of bacterial contamination, fermentation, aging, and processing.

Even red wine, beer, scotch, whiskey and champagne can also cause headaches. Recent study has found that phenols, phytochemicals in red wine are also a triggering factor.

The bottom line  is to avoid foods rich with Tyramine as this can also cause high blood pressure. Tyramine is an amino acid that decreases serotonin levels in the brain and enlarges the blood vessels.

Serotonin is a hormone  that is related to feelings of relaxation. If serotonin levels are low, your blood vessels will enlarge resulting in pain and other troubles.

List down the food  you eat that cause migraines so you can avoid them next time. Here are other foods that can also trigger the pain:

* Crackers and snacks containing cheese

* Chicken liver  and other organs

* Dried fruits (dates, raisins, and figs)

* Soup made from bouillon or meat extracts (not homemade broth)

* Cultured dairy products, yogurt, buttermilk and sour cream

* Potato chips

* Pizza

* Aspartame and artificial sweeteners