Foods That Are Migraine Triggers
Some foods can cause migraines for some people.26 You may want to check if any of the following foods work as a migraine trigger.
- Chocolate
- Fermented foods, pickled foods
- Nitrate-containing meats like hot dogs, bacon, and salami
- Foods that contain tyramine like smoked fish, chicken livers, aged cheese, red wine, and figs
- Monosodium glutamate , an ingredient used in some restaurants
References
Broccoli May Help Prevent Menstrual Migraine
Changes in hormone levels can lead to headaches, especially for women with menstrual migraine or headaches, says Brown. Falling levels of estrogen, which occur just before menstruation begins, can trigger an attack, according to the Migraine Research Foundation.
Women who have this type of migraine would benefit from increasing their intake of cruciferous vegetables, because of their effects on estrogen, Brown says.
Cruciferous vegetables contain hormonally active compounds called phytoestrogens, which can have estrogenic, or estrogen-like, effects in humans or, conversely, antiestrogenic effects. Its thought that the antiestrogenic effects of some phytoestrogens may lower a womans risk of certain types of cancer by lowering her exposure to her own estrogen.
Some research, cited in a February 2021 review in Climacteric, indicates phytoestrogens improve bone mineral density and markers of cardiovascular risk in post-menopausal women effects that estrogen would be expected to have in premenopausal women.
Theres also some evidence that phytoestrogens help to prevent menstrual migraine attacks in premenopausal women, according to a review published in Neurological Sciences.
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy those can all be very helpful if you include more of them in your diet, says Brown.
Red Wine And Other Alcoholic Beverages Are Foods That Trigger Migraines
Sulfites, used as preservatives in red wine, are included in the list of foods that trigger migraines. Alcohol in any drink causes increased blood flow to your brain and can also result in dehydration, both of which might be headache triggers. “People with migraines tend to get worse hangovers from any type of alcohol,” notes Robert Daroff, MD, professor of neurology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland and past president of the American Headache Society. Alcohol will also trigger a headache in someone going through a period of cluster headaches.
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Natural Foods To Get Rid Of Headaches
Headaches are bad news since they can cause you to stay in bed the whole day because of the pain, preventing you from performing your daily duties. There are many types of headaches and a variety of medicines are available in the market which are made to provide relief from them. In some instances though, a headache can recur, especially if you take something that is only designed to target the pain and not the reason behind it.More and more health-related studies are being conducted today that indicate the relationship between a persons diet and his or her headaches. This is because there are certain foods that can trigger allergies and certain sensitivities that would lead a person to have a headache. In relation to that, it is wise to learn more about the foods to avoid and the foods to choose to get rid of headaches for good.Here are the foods that can trigger a headache.
Home Remedies For Headaches: 10 Natural Ways To Treat Headaches
- Aashna Ahuja, NDTV
There comes a point when the world of deadlines, irksome bosses, late nights, skimpy sleep schedules and traffic jams takes a toll on us. It is then when our quintessential cup of coffee surrenders to splitting headaches. So, what do you do when you’re bad day culminates to a severe migraine? The easy way out is of course to pop a painkiller, maybe even indulge in acupressure, sip on some chamomile tea. And we’re willing to do just about anything to get rid of that pounding headache. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of 10 natural home remedies that will zap the pain from your debilitating headache. Your search for the best headache home remedies ends here, as we’ve got your back. In this article, we’ve included some tips and home remedies for headaches. Natural remedies are a drug-free way to reduce headache. These at-home treatments may help prevent headache, or at least help reduce their severity and duration.
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What Foods Can Trigger Migraine
Many people find that specific foods trigger their migraines. Knowing what triggers a migraine can be easier to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Foods that incorporate additives such as MSGs are often the culprit behind a migraine episode. Lower levels of MSGs are naturally found in tomatoes, cheese, corn, and sauerkraut.
Products containing yeast have also been known to trigger migraines. Lunch meats and hotdogs containing high levels of nitrates should be avoided by those who are susceptible to migraines. Condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise, barbeque sauce, and even some salad dressings should be carefully checked for MSGs in the ingredient list. Soy sauce is also another major culprit. However, many soy sauce companies are creating MSG-free soy sauce alternatives.
What May Help Relieve Headaches
Do keep a headache diary. Track the foods you ate 24 hours before a headache began. Download a free headache journal from the American Migraine Foundation.
Do manage your caffeine. For some people, caffeine can help migraines because it constricts enlarged blood vessels in the brain. But for others, too much caffeine is a migraine trigger.
Do eat foods high in magnesium. A majority of Americans dont get enough magnesium and this mineral need may be even higher for headache sufferers. Koff recommends food first to help meet requirements beginning with four servings daily of the following magnesium-rich foods: 1/2 cup kidney, pinto or black beans 1/3 cup peanuts or pumpkin seeds 2 oz dark chocolate 1 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal or barley 3/4 cup cooked greens. For those that cant or choose not to eat foods with magnesium, supplementation may be indicated. Koff recommends working with a registered dietitian to determine intake needs.
Do eat foods high in riboflavin. Also known as vitamin B2, riboflavin is involved in energy production, including in brain cells. In one study, riboflavin supplements were linked to lower incidence of migraines in headache sufferers. Beef, enriched tofu, milk, seafood, mushrooms, eggs, nuts, greens, fortified breakfast cereals and bread made with enriched flour all contain riboflavin.
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Coffee Can Stop A Headache Or Cause One
Coffee contains caffeine, which is added to some types of headache medications. But you can get too much of a good thing coffee may lead to caffeine rebound or a caffeine withdrawal headache, according to the National Headache Foundation.
A cup of coffee is a quick fix for this type of headache, says Brown. Its important to remember that caffeine can stay in your system for up to five hours, she says. For some people, this may lead to an afternoon headache once their morning cup of coffee wears off, she adds.
If your caffeine consumption is causing withdrawal headaches, you might try cutting down by drinking half caff or decaffeinated coffee, suggests Brown. Even decaf coffee has some caffeine in it, she adds.
Skip The Sweet Stuff And Go Dark
According to ABC, cocoa contains healing properties, and dark chocolate is packed to the brim with it unlike milk and white chocolate. A study presented at the International Headache Congress found that cocoa powder has a calming effect on inflamed cells that caused migraine headaches in rats. And were willing to take a chance that this delicious treat will help us in our hour of need.
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The Best Foods To Eat To Help Prevent Migraines
There aren’t any foods that will totally prevent migraines, but some are “pain-free foods,” according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine . “They recommend a plant-based diet as a way to improve your overall health, and these foods shouldn’t trigger any migraines,” says Rizzo. These foods aren’t necessarily linked to migraine prevention, but they are harmless to eat and generally healthy.
Dietary Supplements For Migraine Prevention
A majority of patients with migraine have tried using minerals, herbs, and vitamins to treat their headaches. Patients have different reasons for using supplements, including the idea that they are more natural or do not require a prescription. Because these complementary and alternative treatments can affect pain pathways and other body functions similar to prescription medications, it is important to be aware of the nature of these supplements, including potential side effects and the quality of evidence supporting their use for migraine prevention.
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Eliminating The Food And Drink Culprits
Since each person is different as to which foods and drinks cause and relieve headaches, it takes giving the special diet attention to determine what triggers headaches and what helps headache pain. It may be possible to link certain foods to your headaches, so you can eliminate them from the diet, or to link them to headache relief and add them to the diet.
Developing a healthy lifestyle is also crucial to headache management. You should not rely only on medications for relief. Many headaches are caused by stress and tension, so address the stress factors in your life. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Limit alcohol intake. Do not skip meals. Drink lots of water every day. Get regular good sleep. Exercise regularly. These are behaviors that anyone can control and will go a long way towards preventing headaches and/or minimizing headache pain.
Foods Rich In Magnesium
According to some estimates, as many as half of all migraine sufferers may have a deficiency of magnesium. It is believed to influence the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters and the platelet hyperaggregation linked to migraines. Cortical spreading depression, which causes certain neurons in the brain to go quiet, triggering migraines, is also connected to magnesium deficiency.1
Getting enough magnesium can help you prevent headaches and migraines. One study of 81 test subjects prone to migraine attacks found that taking 600 g of magnesium daily for a 12-week period helped reduce migraine headache frequency by nearly 42 percent. The duration and intensity of each attack also reduced a little .2
What to eat: Foods rich in magnesium include legumes, beans, whole grains, pumpkin seeds, almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, and green leafy vegetables.3
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Sometimes the simplest solution is the one that’s easiest to forget. According to Dr. Williams, dehydration is a major “migraine catalyst,” so drinking a glass of water might be enough to get rid of a headache fast.
The American Migraine Foundation suggests drinking water throughout the day instead of soda, juice or other sugary drinks. A good general guideline is to aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, for example, try to guzzle about 75 ounces daily.
Consider Herbal Headache Remedies
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Next Time Your Head Begins To Throb Reach For A Glass Instead Of A Pill Bottle Try These Drinks For Headaches And Migraine Attacks For A More Delicious Way To Feel Better
All headaches are not created equal. With tension headaches, caffeine headaches, sinus headaches, hangover headaches, and full-blown migraine attacks, the causes and symptoms vary from headache to headache and person to person. If you are one of the millions of people who are prone to headaches or migraine attacks, these drinks for headaches may help stop the pain and nausea.
The symptoms of a migraine or headache can be wide-ranging and debilitating. Sensitivity to light, sound, and smell nausea, vomiting, and constipation brain fog and head pain are all ways migraine attacks bring you down and ruin your day. Luckily, you may not need to treat milder headaches with an expensive medication or a prescription. Often, you can find relief right in your own kitchen with these drinks for headaches.
Most migraine attacks are severe enough that doctors will recommend migraine-specific prescription medication, such as a triptan, to abort an attack. Triptans are highly effective, but people are often reluctant to take them. If you are one of the many people who get frequent migraine attacks or headaches, taking more pills than the recommended amount can actually make them worse. Natural alternatives, like these 11 drinks for headaches, can bring you relief and help you save money and medication.
If you do get migraine attacks, keep your food triggers in mind. Certain ingredients like almonds, citrus, and bananas can be triggers for some people occasionally.
Quick And Easy Migraine Diet Tips To Reduce Pain
A migraine can be an intense event that can ruin a whole day or even a week. It can be a chronic condition that you have to manage for most of your life, too. Throbbing pain in the head is the classic symptom of this disorder, but it is also known to be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. So it is easy to assume that if you do get migraines, you want to make sure you minimize them as much as possible. A migraine diet can help.
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Bread Grains And Cereals
- most cereals, except for those containing nuts, dried fruits, or aspartame
- plain or sesame seed bagels
- quick bread, such as pumpernickel or zucchini bread
- most plain pretzels and potato chips
- unflavored crackers, such as saltines or Club crackers
- white, wheat, rye, or pumpernickel bread from a store
Foods to avoid:
- flavored crackers, such as cheddar cheese crackers
- fresh bread that is homemade or from a grocers bakery
- pizza, as it is also a fresh bread
- highly flavored or seasoned chips
- soft pretzels
- food preservatives, such as nitrates, nitrites, MSG, and artificial sweeteners
- smoked fish
- yeast extract
Not eating anything at all can also lead to an increased incidence of migraines. For some people, prolonged hunger and not eating enough are known headache triggers. This may be due to a link between low blood sugar levels and worsening migraine headaches.
Cayenne Pepper In Warm Water
The compound in cayenne that makes it spicy, called capsaicin, dulls one of the neurotransmitters responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. Some studies show that it can relieve cluster headaches or migraine attacks, especially when applied directly to the skin. Drinking cayenne may help, too, so try sprinkling a little bit in warm water next time you feel a migraine coming on.
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A Cup Of Java Can Really Save The Day
The bad news: the caffeine in coffee can cause headaches. But there is good news: for some people, coffee can help headaches. It all depends on the person. According to Well and Good, caffeine contains something called vasodilating properties, which relax the constricted blood vessels that are the main cause of tension headaches. Also, if youre taking ibuprofen for pain, caffeine can help them work a little more effectively. Win-win!
Migraine Headaches Tension Headaches Cluster Headaches And Sinus Headaches Are All Frequent Kinds Of Headaches
Reduced blood flow to different regions of the cerebral cortex may induce migraine headaches. The precise mechanism of the head discomfort that happens during a migraine, on the other hand, remains unclear. Some evidence suggests that central nervous system structures have a significant function. At the same time, further research indicates that peripheral activation plays a role .
Tension headaches are caused by muscle strains in the head and neck and mental stress. In contrast, cluster headaches occur on one side of the head, are concentrated around the eye, and frequently recur over weeks. The causes of cluster headaches are unclear, although they may be linked to blood flow abnormalities.
Sinus headaches occur when your sinuses become enlarged or blocked. Your sinuses are surrounded by a membrane that keeps them wet and generates mucus, similar to the one that lines the inside of your nose. When bacteria settle and increase on this surface, it swells and produces an excessive amount of mucus. The headache is caused by the pressure created by the swelling within your sinuses.
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Soothe Pain With A Cold Compress
Using a cold compress may help reduce your headache symptoms.
Applying cold or frozen compresses to the neck or head area decreases inflammation, slows nerve conduction and constricts blood vessels, all of which help reduce headache pain .
In one study in 28 women, applying a cold gel pack to the head significantly reduced migraine pain .
To make a cold compress, fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel. Apply the compress to the back of the neck, head or temples for headache relief.
Coenzyme Q10 is a substance produced naturally by the body that helps turn food into energy and functions as a powerful antioxidant .
Studies have shown that taking CoQ10 supplements may be an effective and natural way to treat headaches.
For example, one study in 80 people demonstrated that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 supplements per day reduced migraine frequency, severity and length .
Another study including 42 people who experienced frequent migraines found that three 100-mg doses of CoQ10 throughout the day helped decrease migraine frequency and migraine-related symptoms like nausea (