If you experience migraine attacks, you must be aware of how unpleasant they can be. Migraines involve episodes of severe head pain along with dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to sound and light. As of now, there is no cure for this, but you can reduce their frequency to some extent by monitoring what you eat. That's right! Not many people know this, but food can significantly affect your migraine pain and attacks. While it still depends on your body, tracking your migraine episodes is important if you want to avoid triggers from your diet. Intrigued? Read on to learn which foods to avoid that can trigger migraines.
Also Read: The Dreadful Migraine and Why It Is More Common Among Women
Caffeine can trigger your migraines.
Photo Credit: iStock
Here Are 5 Foods to Avoid That Can Trigger Migraine
1. Caffeine
Can't function without caffeine? Well, if you want to avoid migraine headaches, you need to cut down on your coffee intake. According to a review published in the journal Nutrients, excessive consumption of caffeine can lead to migraines. In fact, a sudden cut down on caffeine can trigger migraine attacks. This has also been backed by two studies published in 2016 and 2019. While it is okay to consume caffeine, limit yourself to two cups a day if you want to avoid migraine attacks.
2. Chocolate
Yes! Your beloved sweet treat can trigger migraine attacks and headaches. Chocolate contains caffeine and tyramine, which can lead to migraine headaches. It may also be possible that your body craves chocolate because it contains caffeine and antioxidants that may treat the symptoms of migraines. However, it could also worsen your situation. If you notice that chocolate constantly triggers migraines in you, consider choosing one with lower cocoa levels.
3. Dried Fruits and Nuts
Dried fruits and nuts are considered some of the healthiest snacks for binge eating, but did you know that they can trigger migraines? According to the Association of Migraine Disorders, nuts and seeds like raisins, dates, apricots, and canned figs contain high levels of phenylalanine that can trigger migraines. However, this could also depend on your body, and the dried nuts and seeds might not affect you the same way they do with other people.
Dried nuts and fruits may trigger your migraine episode.
Photo Credit: iStock
4. Alcohol
Yes! You read it right! Alcohol can trigger your migraine attacks. According to a study published in 2018, alcoholic beverages, especially wine, were reported as migraine triggers among participants in the research. Wines contain certain compounds like flavonoids and tannins that may trigger migraine headaches upon consumption. Moreover, alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, which can also lead to headaches.
5. Fruits
Fresh fruits, especially citrus fruits, may trigger your migraines! Yes! As much as you love eating loads of fresh fruits, avoiding them in excess can help prevent migraines. A study published in 2016 found that citrus fruits are packed with several potential migraine triggers. They are not a common trigger, so you might want to keep track of your migraines to see if avoiding citrus fruits can help you.
Also Read: Here's How These 5 Foods Can Prevent Your Migraine Pain
Do you know any other dietary triggers that might affect your migraines? Let us know in the comments below!