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Health Tip:
When eating can be a headache
Many people are aware of the relationship between the food additive, monosodium
glutamate (MSG), in causing headaches.
In addition to this common headache trigger, there are an astonishing number of
other foods, beverages, and food additives that can also cause headaches.
Aged cheese and other tyramine-containing
foods: Tyramine is a chemical derived from the breakdown of protein that forms during
the aging process of certain foods. In general, the longer a high-protein food ages,
the higher the tyramine content.
Aged cheeses contain some of the highest tyramine levels of any food product.
This includes blue, cheddar, feta, gorgonzola, and Swiss cheese. Other foods with
high tyramine levels include cured or processed meats, organ meats, soy sauce, pickled
foods, nuts, sauerkraut, and tap beer.
Alcoholic Beverages: Several components of beer and wine can be
responsible for causing headaches. Ethanol, the type of alcohol
in beer and wine, causes the blood vessels in the body to dilate. This is what makes
some people feel flushed when drinking. The increased blood flow to the brain from
this blood vessel dilatation, however, can also trigger migraines. Wine and draft
beer can also have high levels of tyramine, triggering headaches
in those who are tyramine sensitive. Additionally, the tannins
in red wine may be responsible for headaches in some individuals. Tannins cause the
release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which appears to be the trigger for these
headaches. Sulfites in wine have erroneously been considered to be a trigger for
headaches. The warning on the label "contains sulfites" is directed to the small
percentage of the population who are allergic to this chemical rather than warning
people of the risk of headaches. Sulfite allergy can cause severe respiratory symptoms
in approximately 5 percent of people with asthma.
Caffeine: While small doses of caffeine are sometimes used to treat
migraines, excessive amounts of caffeine, usually from drinking too much coffee,
may trigger migraines.
Chocolate: Chocolate contains a chemical known as phenylethylamine
that is thought to be the trigger for migraines in people who are sensitive to chocolate.
 Food
additives: Thousands of man-made and natural substances are added to
the foods and beverages that we consume. Some of these additives are preservatives
to slow food spoilage. Others enhance flavor or color or add texture. A few of the
additives that have been implicated in causing headaches include monosodium glutamate
(MSG), sodium nitrate, and aspartame. MSG is a food additive/flavor
enhancer found in soy sauce, meat tenderizer, Asian foods, and a variety of packaged
foods. A couple of "surprise" foods with heavy amounts of MSG include some brands
of veggie burgers, bouillon cubes, and Ramen noodles. Recently, evidence has emerged
suggesting that MSG may not be as major a culprit as previously thought. For a certain
group of people, however, MSG does appear to be responsible for triggering their
headaches. When facial flushing, sweating and rapid heart rate occurs along with a headache
after eating MSG, it is known as "Chinese restaurant syndrome". Nitrates and
nitrites are used to preserve foods, enhance flavors, and to color foods.
Like tyramine, nitrates can cause blood vessels in the brain to dilate, triggering
headaches. Some of the most common foods that contain nitrates include hot dogs,
bologna, luncheon meats, bacon, pepperoni, and other cured or processed meats.
Aspartame (Nutrasweet) is a calorie-free sweetener that has been reported
to cause a number of adverse reactions, including "hives," swelling of the eyelids,
lips or hands, and headaches. The mechanism for this is not known.
Cold foods: Many people have experienced the classic "ice cream
headache", also known as "brain freeze". When this happens, blood vessels within
the brain constrict and then dilate, similar to what happens with a migraine headache.
The pain itself is "referred", or felt in an area distant from where the palate
was chilled, often behind the eyes or in the forehead. Fortunately, the pain usually
resolves after a few excruciating minutes.
What to do if you suspect you have a food-related headache: In
addition to the foods discussed, other foods, including fresh bakery goods, nuts,
and dried fruits, can trigger headaches in susceptible individuals. One key to determining
the cause is by keeping a headache diary in order to spot connections between your
headaches and your diet. You could also consider performing "mini-experiments" where
you eat a particular food in question and see if it causes problems. A third way
is by eating an "elimination diet." In this method all possible triggers (at least
the major ones discussed in this Health Tip) are eliminated from the diet and then
added back gradually. By keeping track of what you are eating and whether headaches
occur, the offending food can often be determined.
If you have questions regarding foods that cause
headaches please sign into your account and send us your questions. |
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