Headaches and Your Diet

Research has shown a link between headaches and the types of food that headache sufferers ingest on a regular basis. If you tend to suffer from frequent headaches and your diet contains foods that are considered to be “headache triggers”, changing your diet could possibly help you to get relief. Certain foods are among the most common causes of headaches and knowing these foods will help sufferers avoid the ones that could cause them pain.

Some studies done on diets and headaches suggest that foods containing tyramine, which is a chemical that is found naturally in some foods, could be a major contributor to headaches. Tyramine is a compound that is found in foods that have been aged. Cheese, alcohol, certain condiments and fruits and vegetables that are overripe can all contain this compound. Eating foods with tyramine in them could trigger migraines and other headaches.

When considering headaches and your diet, it is essential to actually consider individual foods as opposed to a general diet overview. One or two foods included in your diet could be the culprit and eliminating these foods could provide significant relief from headache pain. As a general rule, foods and beverages that contain high amounts of caffeine should be avoided. Caffeine itself is a natural headache trigger which may provoke that mid-day headache everyone dreads while at work. Chocolate, coffee, some teas and other foods that contain caffeine could be causes of headaches in many sufferers.

MSG or Monosodium Glutamate is another food additive that is closely linked to headaches. Studies have shown that up to 15 percent of people who eat foods containing this additive suffer from chronic headaches. MSG is a common ingredient in soy sauce and other condiments. Those who are looking to eliminate headaches should concentrate on avoiding foods that contain many different preservatives. Natural foods are a much better choice for obvious health reasons. Given the link between diets and headaches, it simply stands to reason that avoiding processed or preserved foods could help many who suffer from stress headaches and migraines to live healthier and happier lives.

It is commonly known that one's diet can cause headaches depending on the foods that they ingest. If you are not completely sure that your diet is in fact causing your headaches, come in to see Dr. Rayl for a professional diagnosis. Your diet may not even be a factor of your headache pain. Come in to the Denver Institute for Headache, TMJ and SleepApnea Relief to seek professional, medical help and find out the cause of your headaches once and for all. Call us today!