Science and medicine have made great strides over the last few decades, but there is no science or medicine available that can prevent certain foods from triggering migraine headaches in those who suffer from them. This is an area where forewarned is forearmed should be the watch words of migraine headache sufferers.

A migraine headache is considered a vascular headache because it is associated with changes in the size of the arteries within and outside of the brain. Almost 30 million Americans experience migraine headaches, with women being affected three times more than men. Migraine headaches may last from four hours to three days, or more.

Do certain foods trigger migraine headaches?

According to the American Council for Headaches, foods may trigger migraine headaches, but triggers do not actually cause migraines. It's a small technical difference, but the Council explains that triggers are believed to activate processes in the brain that cause migraine headaches in people who are prone to migraines. Interestingly, a food that may trigger a migraine in one person may not trigger it in another and a food that may trigger a migraine in a person one or more times may not always trigger a migraine for that same person.

What you may not know is that in addition to certain foods, beverages, and additives being migraine triggers, fasting, skipping meals, and dehydration may also cause headaches in some people.

What Foods/Beverages/Additives Are Known Migraine Triggers?

While there is no one list of foods/beverages/additives that may trigger migraines in all individuals, there are some triggers that affect more people commonly than others. These include:

Aged cheese or other tyramine-containing foods: Tyramine is a natural substance that is formed during the aging process of foods due to the breakdown of protein. Tyramine levels in cheeses and other foods vary due to differences in processing, aging, etc. People who take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs) must be especially careful to avoid all foods containing tyramine due to the severe hypertension that can result.

Aged cheeses, especially:

• Blue cheese
• Brie
• Cheddar
  
• Stilton
  
• Feta
  
• Gorgonzola
  
• Mozzarella
  
• Muenster
  
• Parmesan
  
• Swiss
  
• Processed cheese

Other foods high in tyramine:

• Aged, canned, cured, or processed meats
  
• Fava, broad, garbanzo, lima, and pinto beans
  
• Onions
  
• Olives
  
• Pickles
  
• Avocados
  
• Raw garlic
  
• Raisins
  
• Canned soups
  
• Nuts

Alcohol: Blood flow to the brain increases when alcohol is ingested.

• Red wine
  
• Beer
  
• Whiskey
  
• Champagne

Food additives: Food additives such as nitrates, nitrites, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are known triggers for up to 30% of migraine headaches (my.clevelandclinic.com)\

• Soy sauce
  
• Meat tenderizer
  
• Oriental foods
  
• Many prepackaged foods
  
• Hotdogs
  
• Lunch meats and deli-style meats
  
• Pepperoni
  
• Bacon
  
• Ham
  
• Sausage

Other foods that are less common triggers for migraine headaches include:

• Organ meats such as liver
  
• Yeast/yeast extract
  
• Figs, raisins, dates
  
• Soups made from meat extracts or bouillon
• Cultured dairy products
  
• Caffeine
  
• Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners

Again, these lists are not all inclusive of foods that may trigger migraine headaches, but provide a starting point for migraine headache sufferers who are looking for potential causes for their headaches. The best way to know what foods affect you is to keep a headache diary. This way you can record what you have eaten, drank, activity level, etc. that preceded a migraine and be better able to learn what triggers a migraine headache for you.

Are there any foods not listed here that have laid you low with a migraine?

Find others who have the same food triggers as you and find ways to take control of migraines by telling Dr. everyone your story.