We all know what headaches are. Probably everyone has experienced headaches, but in most cases, these headaches are an occasional complaint that usually goes away on its own. But if you’re one of those who suffer from chronic headaches, you know how important it is to manage them to avoid flare-ups.
There are lots of things you can do to treat headaches like taking medications, using non-medication therapies (acupuncture, nerve stimulation, behavioral therapy, massage, feedback, etc.) and avoiding bad habits. However, your diet matters as well.
Some foods tend to worsen different types of headaches and can even cause flare-ups. So, if you’re consistently suffering from headaches and are prone to migraines, you need to know which foods to avoid if you have a bad headache:
Cheese
Many people are crazy about aged cheese. The longer it ages the better taste it has and the more chances it will trigger your headache. Why? Aged cheeses contain tyramine, which known to provoke headaches. The aging process actually increases the levels of this chemical in cheese. Cheeses that have a high tyramine content include brie, feta, parmesan, blue cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, and Swiss cheese.
Salt
Though experts don’t know for sure why salt triggers headaches, many people report they get head pain after eating high-sodium foods. A large amount of salt in the American diet comes from some prepackaged, processed, and restaurant foods. Many people might not realize that canned veggies and soups, boxed macaroni, cheese, and frozen entrees contain salt. If you’re prone to headaches, try avoiding high-sodium foods.
Diet soda
Since diet soda contains an artificial sweetener called aspartame, it can provoke headaches. The FDA has received thousands of consumer complaints about aspartame due to symptoms like memory loss, dizziness, and headaches.
Red wine
Red wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages are rich in tyramine. Tyramine is an amino acid that our bodies typically easily break down with the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). However, in some people, the breakdown of this amino acid is inhibited. This might be provoked by taking certain antidepressants or a MAO deficiency.
Bananas and avocados
Bananas and avocados are super healthy for most people. But those who are prone to headaches should avoid them. Unfortunately, bananas and avocados contain high amounts of tyramine. Moreover, even if you’re not prone to migraines, high levels of tyramine can still contribute to headaches.
Ice cream
Have you ever heard about “ice cream headache”? This type of pain typically subsides a minute or two later, but why does this come on so hard and fast and then goes away? Introducing an extremely cold food or drink to the throat might cause a reflex constriction of the blood vessels around your head.
Cold cuts
Again, cold cuts are full of tyramine. Plus, they contain food additives such as nitrates and nitrites that can increase blood flow to the brain leading to pain. A nitrate-induced headache is usually felt like pain on both sides of the head.
Bread
Those who are sensitive to gluten can get headaches from eating gluten-rich foods. If you have celiac disease, you are automatically more prone to headaches. So, stay away from products containing wheat, rye, wheat germ, seasoning mixes, pasta, crackers, graham flour, etc.
Cocktail party foods
Cocktail party foods like olives, aged cheeses, nuts, and pickles are all high in tyramine. Therefore, it’s best to limit the intake of tyramine to prevent headache flare-ups. Keep in mind that high levels of tyramine are found in foods that are aged, fermented, or stored for long periods of time.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains a few substances that can lead to headaches, such as tyramine, caffeine, and phenylethylamine. While this combination doesn’t affect some people, others may get headaches.