Halt Your Headaches

Have you been suffering from migraines or severe headaches?  If so, have you considered that what you are eating could possibly be the cause?   Fox 5 News has recently revealed that there are certain types of foods that can actually trigger headaches; even healthy foods can be the culprit.

Trigger foods mentioned on the news were red grapes, sauerkraut, red wine, certain types of beer, aged cheeses such as cheddar and Swiss, citrus fruits, smoked or cured meats such as pepperoni and salami, and soy sauce to name a few.

So what do all these different types of food and beverages have in common? All the foods listed above contain tyramine, a naturally occurring amino acid that forms from the breakdown of protein in food as it ages. As a result, blood pressure can rise which can trigger headaches in some individuals.

People taking certain anti-depressants known as MAOI’s need to avoid foods in tyramine, since these medications block the enzymes necessary to break down the tyramine. This can cause blood pressure to reach dangerously high levels.

So what can you do if you believe tyramine may be triggering your headaches?

The best way to know exactly what foods are causing your headaches is to keep a food symptom log or “headache diary”.   Every individual is different, so some of the foods listed above may trigger your headaches where others will not.

It is important to note that headaches may not start right after eating a specific food.   Headaches can begin up to 24 hours after consuming a certain food, which is why it is important to keep a journal. Keep track of other common headache triggers to ensure that you don’t falsely assume that tyramine is the trigger.   For example, if a headache is approaching, record if you are around bright lights or loud noise, if you have had an attitude change, lack of sleep or water, or are undergoing more stress than usual.

Let’s face it; headaches can make you irritable, uncomfortable, and grumpy.  Find out what your triggers are and whether they are food related or caused by other factors.  Once you understand your personal triggers, you can avoid them and feel relaxed, comfortable and happy!

Now it’s your turn to take action: What foods do you find trigger your headaches?

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