Here Are the Foods That Can Promote Migraines, According to a Neurologist
August 13, 2024
6 Min
42
Migraine is a neurological disease that affects 15% of the world’s population. It is due to a genetic predisposition associated with triggering factors, some of which are controllable. Among them, we find in particular certain foods, which a neurologist listed in a recent video.
The migraine is a headache or a pulsating, unilateral headache, occurring in attacks, indicates the Health Insurance website. It is sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting, but also difficulty tolerating noise, light or smells. The pain inflicted by a migraine is such that it often forces the sufferer to stop their activities and isolate themselves in quiet and darkness.
Among the factors that trigger a migraine, we find in particular the consumption of certain foods or stimulants, the change of pace of life, sensory factors, but also hormonal factors, in women in particular. In a video posted on his Tik Tok account @drolivier_sillam, a neurologist spoke about the foods that promote the triggering of a migraine attack.
What foods promote the occurrence of a migraine?
“According to studies, one in two migraine patients eats foods that can trigger a migraine attack,” recalls the specialist at the beginning of his video. In particular, it highlights three types of food:
alcohol, especially red wine and beer
chocolate, especially dark chocolate
aged and fermented cheese.
The neurologist specifies however that although “Other foods can also trigger migraine attacks.” He cites vinegar in particular, this kombuchacitrus fruits, and cured or processed meats such as cold cuts. He also says it’s important to keep in mind that “Foods that can trigger a migraine vary from patient to patient.”
But then, why are certain foods migraine triggers? And how can we explain that some people will react more to a food than others? As Dr. Olivier Sillam indicates in his video, “different substances are involved depending on the food.” Tyramine, for example, which is found in chocolate or fermented cheeses, will come “excite the central nervous system and can therefore be the cause of the onset of a migraine attack”, says the expert. Similarly, other substances such as l’histamine present in vinegar, citrus fruits, fermented foods but also nitrates found in particular in cold meats have a vasodilator effect. “They will thus tend to dilate the vessels, and we know that in migraine vasodilation is involved in the mechanisms,” concludes the doctor.
Additional sources:
Migraine: symptoms, triggers and progression – Health Insurance
Migraine – an increasingly well-known disease – Inserm
Journalist for the Health, Love, Children and Nutrition sections, I am a true writing enthusiast. Every day, I carefully decipher new scientific studies for you, and share with you with great pleasure slimming recipes or advice to make your relationship last. As you will have understood, my favorite subjects are numerous, which makes my work days very enriching.