Headaches & Migraines

How does food trigger a headache?
One way is it dilates the blood vessels in the head. This sets off
a series of events identical to what migraine sufferers report just
before a migraine strikes. Nitrites, usually found in sausages and hot
dogs, can cause this reaction. Other foods that contain proteins
having an amine in their structure can also trigger a headache; so can
a substance called Tyramine, which is found in many foods (hard
cheeses for example).16
The common hangover headache is the result of drinking alcohol
on an empty stomach and consuming excessive amounts. Hangover
headaches can of course be avoided by eating before we drink, and
drinking moderately at a slow, relaxed pace. Some wines – red wines
in particular – contain sulfites. People who get migraines after
drinking red wine may be reacting to the sulfites instead of to the
alcohol itself.17
Food Additives
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a chemical that is used by
some cooks to enhance the flavor of dishes and to tenderize meats.
15 Solomon, Seymour, MD and Fraccaro, Steven. The Headache Book. Consumers
Union of the US. New York, USA. 1991.
16 Ibid.
17 Ibid.
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An example of MSG triggering headaches and migraines is the Chinese
restaurant syndrome, which people first took notice of in the 1960’s.
Many restaurants now do not add MSG in their cooking and
people can request that it be not added. While some people do not
react to MSG, it is best to avoid it since it has no known nutritional
value and has triggered migraines and headaches in some people.

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