Friday, October 16, 2009

Foods Or Liquids That Trigger Migraines

Migraine headaches can be caused by many factors. One of the most common causes for these headaches are specific types of foods. It is typically an additive or some type of impurity found in the food or added to the food to increase the length of time the food will last on the grocery shelf that causes the headaches.


Cheese


The most common culprit in headaches is a chemical called Tyramine, which is present in aged foods, particularly cheeses. The longer certain types of cheeses are aged, the more tyramine is created.


Aged Drinks


Red wine and alcoholic beverages also contain Tyramine, which can trigger headaches. Grapes used in the wine are left for a period of time to ferment. Barley and hops are allowed to ferment during the process of making beer.


Other Aged Solid Foods


Nitrates are another common trigger. Nitrites are found in the highest content in processed meats, such as those found in the deli or prepackaged in the refrigerated section of a grocery store. They can also be found in canned meats, such as SPAM or potted meat.


Chinese Foods








Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is an additive used to enhance flavors. One of the most common places to find MSG is in Chinese foods, both in the grocery store and in restaurants, but MSG may be used in any food.


Nuts


Nuts are usually picked early in their growth cycle and allowed to sit in poorly ventilated bags, either in processing plants or on the way to processing plants. Mold found in peanuts is a common trigger for migraines.


Tea, Coffee, Cokes, and Energy Drinks


Tea, coffee, colas, and energy drinks are full of caffeine. Caffeine speeds up the heart. This causes a dilation of blood vessels, which can trigger a headache.

Tags: most common, common trigger, grocery store, meats such, processing plants, Tyramine which