Migraines & Headaches Health Center

Head Off Pain

Your head feels tight, the pressure builds, and pretty soon pain is all you can think about. Hello, headache. You're having one of the recurring tension or cluster headaches that afflict 45 million Americans every year, according to the National Headache Foundation. Another 29 million suffer from migraines.

Research shows that some headaches, primarily the severe migraine type, can be triggered by your diet. Keep a headache diary, say experts. Look for patterns. Do any foods or beverages consistently cause headaches? Once you've identified a potential trigger, cut it out of your diet and see if the result is fewer or less severe headaches. Start your hunt for triggers with these common pain-producing culprits:

Tyramine
Formed naturally from the breakdown of protein as it ages, tyramine is found in red wine, overripe bananas, beer, ale, nuts, seeds, soy, chocolate, pickled or fermented foods, and aged cheeses like Camembert and Parmesan. For a trigger-free cheese plate, choose fresh cheeses, such as jalapeno jack yogurt cheese, soy cheddar, mozzarella, chevre, and mascarpone.

Caffeine
Drinking more than the equivalent of two cups of coffee a day means increased blood flow to the brain, which can bring on a nasty headache.

Alcohol
Alcohol increases blood flow to the brain, which can trigger a cluster or migraine headache or cause dehydration and lead to a hangover headache.

MSG
The increased sodium intake from monosodium glutamate, or MSG-an ingredient commonly found in meat tenderizers and in Chinese food-may result in a hangover-type or migraine headache.

Tannins
Usually associated with red wine, tannins are also found in apple juice, black-berries, coffee, tea, chocolate, and carob.

Nitrites
This food additive, found in processed meats such as hot dogs and lunch meat, can increase blood flow to the brain and cause a migraine.

Ice cream
This dessert and other very cold foods can irritate a nerve in the back of the throat and bring on "brain freeze," which can trigger a headache (although not a migraine).

Recipe: A Safe Substitution

White Sangria
12 half-cup servings

1/2 cup sliced oranges
1/2 cup strawberries or raspberries
1/2 cup sliced apples
1/2 cup sliced pears
2 cups sparkling cider or champagne
1 cup white grape juice
1 cup ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or sparkling water
Fresh mint and lemon slices (optional for garnish)

1. Slice fruit (substitute any fruit you desire) and place into a large bowl.
2. Combine all liquids, pour over fruit, and let marinate for a few hours.
3. Pour into festive wine glasses and (if desired) garnish each glass with fresh mint and a slice of lemon.
4. Enjoy!

Per serving: 65 calories, .2 grams protein, 9.25 g carbohydrate, .5 g fiber, 0 fat, 0 chol, 5.4 mg sodium.