Headaches are a problem almost everyone suffers from time to time. Studies suggest, most people have at least one headache a year, and over 30% percent of adults suffering from a migraine.
Migraines differ from headaches, in that they contain a throbbing element, which some people claim worsen even with minor physical exertions. They typically last longer than a headache and have a more powerful physical effect. Tension-type headaches, however, are associated with chronic and steadier pain.
Assessing your current diet is the best way to protect yourself from migraines. The latest studies are showing that changes to your diet can either reduce or increase your risk of a migraine developing. Considering this, it is important you increase your intake of preventative foods and avoid migraine trigger.
Let’s take a closer look at the top five foods you should avoid if you are a migraine sufferer.
1. Red Wine
The sulphites preservative used in red wine is recognised as a migraine trigger. In any case, the dehydration and increased blood flow to the brain triggered by alcohol is another possible cause of headaches. Doctors suggest Migraine sufferers tend to get worse hangovers regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.
2. Caffeine
Caffeine can be both the hero and the villain for migraine sufferers. Small amounts of caffeine can help clear a migraine, and it is actually used in some migraine remedies. Too much caffeine, however, can be a migraine trigger as you come down from a caffeine boost. Evidence of caffeine withdrawal can be seen, if you wake up a later on the weekends suffering with a headache. Studies show, if you are drinking two or three cups of coffee (200 mg of caffeine) you may well get a withdrawal headache when your body no longer holds the caffeine.
3. Aged Cheese
Although there is little research, it is generally agreed that aged cheese can cause a migraine. It is suspected that a substance named tyramine is the reason for this. Tyramine forms as the proteins present in cheese, break down in time. Therefore the more aged a cheese is, the higher amount of tyramine it will possess. Culprit cheeses might include Swiss, cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda.
4. Soy Sauce and MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been shown to trigger diarrhoea, cramps and painful headaches in around 12 percent of migraine sufferers. The chemical can be found in food additives and soy sauce, the later has even greater potential to cause headaches, due to its high salt content which can lead to dehydration.
5. Cold food and drink
Ice cream is often blamed for giving people a headache. However, it is not the ice cream itself; it is the temperature it is served at. The problem gets worse the hotter you are feeling, so a cold ice cream on a hot day is probably not a good idea for migraine sufferers. However for non-migraine sufferers, any pain quickly fades away. To enjoy your ice cream and reduce the risk of headaches, it is advised you drink or eat any cold substance slowly.
Avoiding these food can reduce the frequency of your migraines and even stop them completely. However, if you decided you want to explore additional options as well, seeing a chiropractor can help rid you of migraines. Sunbury Chiropractors offer specialised services designed to assist people that suffer from migraines.
Migraines differ from headaches, in that they contain a throbbing element, which some people claim worsen even with minor physical exertions. They typically last longer than a headache and have a more powerful physical effect. Tension-type headaches, however, are associated with chronic and steadier pain.
Assessing your current diet is the best way to protect yourself from migraines. The latest studies are showing that changes to your diet can either reduce or increase your risk of a migraine developing. Considering this, it is important you increase your intake of preventative foods and avoid migraine trigger.
Let’s take a closer look at the top five foods you should avoid if you are a migraine sufferer.
1. Red Wine
The sulphites preservative used in red wine is recognised as a migraine trigger. In any case, the dehydration and increased blood flow to the brain triggered by alcohol is another possible cause of headaches. Doctors suggest Migraine sufferers tend to get worse hangovers regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.
2. Caffeine
Caffeine can be both the hero and the villain for migraine sufferers. Small amounts of caffeine can help clear a migraine, and it is actually used in some migraine remedies. Too much caffeine, however, can be a migraine trigger as you come down from a caffeine boost. Evidence of caffeine withdrawal can be seen, if you wake up a later on the weekends suffering with a headache. Studies show, if you are drinking two or three cups of coffee (200 mg of caffeine) you may well get a withdrawal headache when your body no longer holds the caffeine.
3. Aged Cheese
Although there is little research, it is generally agreed that aged cheese can cause a migraine. It is suspected that a substance named tyramine is the reason for this. Tyramine forms as the proteins present in cheese, break down in time. Therefore the more aged a cheese is, the higher amount of tyramine it will possess. Culprit cheeses might include Swiss, cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda.
4. Soy Sauce and MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been shown to trigger diarrhoea, cramps and painful headaches in around 12 percent of migraine sufferers. The chemical can be found in food additives and soy sauce, the later has even greater potential to cause headaches, due to its high salt content which can lead to dehydration.
5. Cold food and drink
Ice cream is often blamed for giving people a headache. However, it is not the ice cream itself; it is the temperature it is served at. The problem gets worse the hotter you are feeling, so a cold ice cream on a hot day is probably not a good idea for migraine sufferers. However for non-migraine sufferers, any pain quickly fades away. To enjoy your ice cream and reduce the risk of headaches, it is advised you drink or eat any cold substance slowly.
Avoiding these food can reduce the frequency of your migraines and even stop them completely. However, if you decided you want to explore additional options as well, seeing a chiropractor can help rid you of migraines. Sunbury Chiropractors offer specialised services designed to assist people that suffer from migraines.