Headache Food Triggers

 Do you suffer from headaches that affect your 5, 10 or more times a month?

There are certain types of headaches that can be triggered by the foods your eat.

One fourht of headache sufferers
One fourth of headache sufferers say that certain foods trigger their head pain. This is because many foods contain ingredients that can provoke the release of the neurotransmitters implicated in causing headaches.

Headache triggers - Tyrmaine

Headaches can be triggered by foods containing the substance tyramine, which is a member of the amines group of organic chemical compounds, may influence the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Common foods that contain tyramine include:

• Chocolate
• Aged cheese
• Vinegar (relish, salad dressings, sauces, catsup)
• Organ meats (kidney liver)
• Yogurt
• Yeast extracts
• Alcohol (especially red wine
• Sour Cream
• Soy sauce
  

Headache triggers - nitrites

Headaches can also be triggered by foods containing nitrates as preservatives.  It is estimated that in the United States there are 12,000,000,000 pounds of nitrite currently used to give meats a pink color and enhance their taste.  Foods containing nitrite include:

• Bacon
• Sausages
• Hamburger
• Smoked fish
• Pepperoni
• Canned hamCorned beef
• Bologna
• Pastrami
  

Monosodium glutamate (commonly called MSG) may also cause headache pain. It is a flavor enhancer that is often sold under the trade name Accent. An estimated 20,000 tons of monosodium glutamate are used yearly to add flavoring to foods such as:

• Salad dressing and mayonnaise
• Processed or frozen food
• Dry roasted nuts
• Soup and sauces
• Potato chips
• Chinese foods
  

Finally, there are a number of other food items that can trigger headaches. This includes citrus fruits, dairy products, soybeans, wheat products, onions, fatty foods, seafood, and artificial sweeteners (aspartame or NutraSweet).

The only real way to determine which foods might be triggering you headache, is to have a diary. There should be one column for the date you experienced the headache and a second for the foods you ate before the headache started.

If you fill out this diary religiously for at least a month, you may be able to see a pattern that can help you eliminate the foods that are triggering your headache – and many of those nasty headaches.

Do you have trouble sleeping?

There are a number of natural ways to stop tossing and turning and enjoy a good night;s sleep that lets you wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy. Go to the Natural, Restful Sleep site to learn how.

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