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| trigger migraines by causing blood vessels to expand. Many migraine sufferers have been found to have significantly lower levels of a platelet enzyme that normally breaks down these natural dietary components. Since red wine contains substances that are potent inhibitors of this enzyme, it often triggers migraines in these individuals, especially if consumed along with high vasoactive-amine foods like cheese. Alcohol, especially red wine and beer, are among the most likely alcoholic beverages to cause problems. Congeners, the substances that give alcohol its distinguishing characteristics, may trigger migraines along with the alcohol itself. |
| The naturally occurring amino acid, tyramine, found in foods such as aged cheeses, Chianti wine and pickled herring, affects several mechanisms known to be involved with migraine. Chocolate may be another trigger. But it's not clear whether chocolate causes migraine or whether a sudden craving for chocolate is caused by an impending migraine. |
| Caffeine can cause headaches by increasing the body's craving for it. When blood levels of caffeine drop, symptoms of withdrawal, including headache, may set in. That's why heavy coffee drinkers experience "morning headache" until they have that first cup of coffee. Headaches related to caffeine involve a dull, throbbing pain on both sides of the head and are generally not as intense as migraine headaches. Once the body rids itself of the caffeine's effects, the headaches will disappear on their own. People who suffer from caffeine headaches are often unaware of the cause, however, and so they do not avoid caffeine, causing the headaches to recur. Food additives, such as sodium nitrite in hot dogs and luncheon meats or monosodium glutamate in many processed foods, may also trigger migraine in some people. |
| The following foods are known to commonly trigger headaches in sensitive people: |
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