The causes of headaches are varied and can be a symptom of an underlying problem, such as vision problems, sinusitis or high blood pressure or can be caused by our daily habits such as our diet. Those who are prone to suffering from headaches or often have them, in addition to see a specialist to determine the cause of the discomfort, they should review their diet and eliminate foods that could potentially cause discomfort. Don't know what they are? Here at OneHowTo.com we reveal the foods that give you a headaches.
The importance of seeing a doctor
Because frequent headaches can have a wide range of causes, visiting a specialist is very important to determine if we have a condition which causes them or whether our own habits and genetic susceptibility drives us to suffer from them.
If you suffer from migraines or frequent headaches, watching your diet is essential because many foods greatly increase the chances of getting a headache. Pay attention and moderate your intake of the following ingredients.
Aged cheeses
Due to its high content of tyramine, an amino acid which causes the dilation of blood vessels, aged cheeses are one of the main foods that produce headache and therefore should be limited in our diets, especially during periods where we are more likely to suffer from these discomforts, for example in times of high stress, insomnia or during the menstrual cycle in the case of women.
Cheeses such as cheddar, manchego, blue, gorgonzola or parmesan are to be avoided and it is better to opt for those uncured.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a known vasodilator, but drinks such as wine, beer or vermouth also contain tyramine which encourages headaches. Before an episode of migraines or headaches, alcoholic beverages should be limited entirely because, besides favoring dehydration, they will also increase the pain.
Caffeinated foods
Caffeine, as well as being a powerful stimulant, is also a vasodilator, so when we have or are prone to headaches, products containing this ingredient will only worsen the pain.
Therefore we recommend moderating intake of:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Caffeinated sodas
- Chocolate
- Yerba mate
- Guarana
Soy products
Soybeans and products derived from this plant are also included in the list of foods that cause headaches due to its content of nitrite, another substance that promotes discomfort. Therefore it is recommended to control consumption of:
- Soy sauce
- Soy beverages
- Tofu
- Dried or fresh soybeans
Nuts
Except for raisins, dried fruits contain tyramine so therefore are not recommended for patients with frequent headaches. Although they have many general health benefits, walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and almonds can increase the discomfort caused by a headache, so it is recommended to keep them at bay.
Sausage
Due to its content of preservatives and salt, and as it happens with cheeses, sausages are not recommended when suffering from migraines and headaches as they could increase the discomfort, so it is best to limit the maximum intake.
Other foods which give us a headache
As well as the other previously mentioned ingredients, there are others which can give us a headache due to the amount of additives that these foods contain, such as:
- Canned food and pickles
- Ready meals
- Condiments and canned soups
- Sweeteners
Now you know which foods to hold off when you do not feel well, but also here at OneHowTo we have some suggestions so you can quickly get rid of the discomfort, so we invite you to read these articles:
- Tips to get rid of headaches with home remedies
- 5 most effective herbal remedies for migraines and headaches
- Home remedies to get rid of tension headache
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to List Of Foods That Give You A Headache, we recommend you visit our Family health category.