Stay Away From These Six Foods And Beverages To Prevent Your Migraines
Migraines don't have to be a persistent problem that makes it difficult for you to get through everyday responsibilities. By making some slight changes to your diet, you may find that you can avoid migraines altogether.
Knowing which foods and drinks trigger migraines is an important first step to formulating a diet that helps you avoid the discomfort and inconvenience. The following are six foods you definitely want to stop eating if you're trying to overcome migraines.
Dried fruits and wine
Dried fruits and wine are known for triggering migraines because they contain sulfites. Sulfites are a preservative used to prolong the shelf life of such foods and beverages. They trigger migraines because they can increase stress and inflammation
Processed meats
Processed meats can trigger headaches because they typically contain nitrites. Nitrites are preservatives and can also be added to processed meats to provide flavoring. Nitrites cause migraines because they can cause the blood vessels to dilate. Among some of the most common processed meats that tend to contain nitrites are corned beef, sausage, and jerky.
Foods that contain a lot of additives/preservatives
Check the ingredients of the processed foods you're eating. Anything that contains a lot of ingredients that you can't recognize is probably full of preservatives, which is not good when it comes to migraine management.
Coffee, tea, and other drinks that contain caffeine
Some people are particularly sensitive to caffeine and can develop migraines from consuming it or from not consuming it once they've become accustomed to taking in a certain amount every day.
Opt for decaf beverages and, above all, avoid becoming addicted to caffeine and relying on it on a daily basis to feel comfortable.
Cheeses containing tyramine or phenylethylamine
Two common amino acids found in aged or fermented cheeses are known to be particularly common causes of migraines. The types of cheese in which these substances are found include blue cheese, cheddar, and Brie. Avoid eating these cheeses and you may notice that the frequency of your migraines decreases.
Foods containing tannins
Foods containing tannins include tea, apple juice, apples, and red wine. Tannins give such foods an astringent taste. It is thought that tannins can trigger migraines because they temporarily detract from the body's ability to absorb important nutrients including protein.
Alcoholic beverages
Most any alcoholic beverage is likely to contain tyramine, which is a potential migraine trigger. Also, alcoholic beverages are known to make it more difficult for an individual to stay hydrated, and dehydration is one of the major causes of migraines.
For more information about your migraines, talk with a local neurologist.