Table of contents:
- 1. Chocolate
- 2. Processed meat
- 3. Cold food or drinks
- 4. Foods that contain MSG
- 5. Foods and drinks that contain artificial sweeteners
- 6. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks
Migraines or headaches can happen to everyone and this makes the person experiencing it feel uncomfortable. Several things can trigger a migraine. One of them is the food or drink you consume. However, the effect may not be the same for every individual. The following are some migraine trigger foods:
1. Chocolate
Chocolate can be a migraine trigger food, especially for sensitive people. According to the American Migraine Foundation, chicks are the second most common migraine trigger after alcohol. About 22% of people who experience migraines consider chocolate to be one of the triggers. They feel migraines after eating chocolate.
This may not happen to everyone. However, for those of you who feel migraines after eating chocolate, you may have to avoid eating large amounts of chocolate. The content of phenylethylamine and caffeine in chocolate can be the reason why chocolate triggers migraines.
2. Processed meat
Sausage and ham are examples of processed meats that can trigger migraines. The content of nitrates and nitrites as preservatives in processed meat can widen blood vessels, which can trigger migraines in some people. So, maybe not everyone will experience migraines after eating processed meat.
3. Cold food or drinks
Cold foods or drinks such as ice cream can also trigger migraine foods, especially for sensitive people. One study found that cold foods can trigger migraines in 74% of the 76 migraine sufferers who participated in the study. Meanwhile, only 32% of participants who suffered from non-migraine headaches experienced pain after eating cold foods.
The stabbing feeling in the head that you feel after eating cold food too quickly can cause you to experience migraines. This is more likely to happen when you feel too hot or after exercising. The peak of pain occurs in about 30-60 seconds. This is more likely in people who do suffer from migraines, but usually the pain goes away quickly. If you feel this way, you should consume cold food or drinks slowly.
4. Foods that contain MSG
Packaged foods that have a savory taste generally contain MSG (monosodium glutamate). Some people report that MSG is a frequent trigger for migraines. The American Migraine Foundation notes as many as 10-15% of people experience migraine headaches after eating foods containing MSG.
5. Foods and drinks that contain artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame which is commonly added to food or drinks can also trigger migraines in migraine sufferers. According to one study, more than 50% of the 11 participants in the study experienced an increase in migraine frequency after consuming large amounts of aspartame-containing foods. Some migraine sufferers may be sensitive to aspartame. The effects may differ between individuals.
6. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks
These three caffeinated drinks are also among some that can trigger migraines. The caffeine content in these three drinks is often associated with migraines. Although caffeine is thought to help get rid of migraines, not consuming or drastically reducing the consumption of caffeinated drinks from usual consuming high amounts of it can actually trigger migraines. This may make it difficult for people who are accustomed to drinking coffee to break the habit.
To avoid migraines, it's best to cut back on your caffeinated drinks slowly if you want to break the habit.
