Here’s the thing about migraines: They are way worse than simple headaches.
Migraines are intense, throbbing headaches that typically affect one side of the head, and they may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. While migraine triggers include hormonal changes, certain foods, environmental factors, and lack of sleep, they can be hereditary and may be linked to neurological changes in the brain. They can also be associated with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. In short, migraines are complex neurological events that can be precipitated by multiple triggers.
Surprisingly, certain food items, beverages, and dietary habits fall under the category of those triggers. While individual susceptibility may vary based on genetics, hormonal cycles, hydration, stress, and other lifestyle factors, these foods, which often are contributing factors to the splitting pan, often share common components like tyramine, nitrates, histamines, caffeine, and flavor enhancers, which can influence blood vessels, neurotransmitters, or brain inflammation. While no universal ‘migraine diet’ exists, certain foods deserve cautious handling. So, which food items to be careful about?