Most headaches people experience are tension headaches, which can usually be easily treated with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However roughly 1 in 10 headache sufferers get migraine headaches, which are more difficult to treat, according to statistics at the Health Resources and Service Administration. Any headache can be triggered by a lack of food or dehydration, but there are also some foods that contribute to headache pain, and by avoiding them, you'll be able to avoid the headache that follows.
Alcohol
Red wine has been known to trigger headaches in some people, although scientists are still debating why. Ingredients in wine, including tannins, tyramines and sulfites, may all cause a headache reaction immediately after consuming a glass. Because alchohol is a diurectic, the headache caused by a night of drinking is most often caused by dehydration.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains both phenylethylamine (PEA) and caffeine, both of which are believed to cause headaches by dilating and constricting the blood vessels.
Tyramine-Rich Foods
Tyramine is the culprit in aged cheeses or just about any food that is preserved, and will trigger a headache--usually a migraine. This also includes aged, cured or processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, hard salami, ham, corned beef and hot dogs. Other foods high in tyramine that could trigger a headache are sauerkraut, olives, foods made from soy and most nuts.
Foods with MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) can be a migraine trigger. MSG is a flavor enhancer that is often used in Chinese food as well as canned soups and many processed foods.
