The blinding, incapacitating pain of a migraine headache can happen to anyone, though the Mayo Clinic reports that people in their thirties are most likely to experience this type of headache. Migraines can be caused by hormonal changes in the body, lack of sleep or extended exposure to bright lights. Certain foods can also trigger a migraine in some people. Knowing, and avoiding, common dietary triggers of migraines may help reduce their frequency and severity.
Food Additives
Chemicals that are added to foods to either enhance the flavor or add coloring are common dietary triggers for migraines. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame; MSG, a substance often added to enhance the taste of Chinese food and a wide variety of snacks; and nitrates, a chemical that provides a rosy red color to hot dogs and processed meats; are likely food-based causes of migraine headaches. Dr. J. Gordon Millichap writes in a 2002 "NOHA News" article that nitrates in particular have a vasodilation effect on blood vessels and may cause headaches and flushing of the face.
Caffeine & Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol are two different types of chemicals--the former is a stimulant and the latter is a depressant--but they can both have the same effect when used by a person prone to migraines. Some people may have success treating a migraine with caffeine through soft drinks, coffee or medications containing the stimulant, but this treatment method can sometimes backfire and worsen a migraine. According to Dr. Millchap, caffeine causes the cerebral blood vessels in the head to constrict, which may lead to headaches. Chocolate, in addition to caffeinated beverages, is a common migraine trigger.
The sedative effect causes the opposite to happen: alcohol dilates, or opens up, the blood vessels, which may be a trigger for those sensitive to alcohol in the first place. As reported on an April 2006 segment of NPR's "Morning Edition," people who prefer darker-colored drinks such as dark beers and red wine may see a stronger correlation between alcohol and migraines.
Tyramine-Rich Foods
A seemingly unrelated list of foods can become migraine triggers because they all contain the same substance, a chemical called tyramine. Tyramine is digestible in most people, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website, but not everyone. If the chemical, found in aged cheeses, onions, red wine, bananas and citrus fruits, is absorbed into the bloodstream, it causes the blood flow to the brain to decrease. The interruption of blood flow due to tyramine in the diet can cause migraines.
Low Blood Sugar
Foods are not the only dietary trigger for migraines. Waiting too long between meals, a situation that can lead to low blood sugar, can also be a cause of the blinding headaches. Eating on a regular schedule can prevent sharp drops in glucose levels and may also keep migraine headaches at bay.
