5 Foods That Cause Migraines (And What To Do About Them)

Ever wonder why it seems that all of sudden you get a headache, almost out of nowhere?  Well, your body is trying to tell you something.  Sometimes its stress. Sometimes it’s your body telling you that you need to get rid of harmful toxins.  And other times, it’s just simply what you ate.

Foods that Cause Migraines

Depending on the ingredients of what you ate, your body could be telling you to leave those foods alone.  Take a look at the top 5 foods that cause migraines:

1. Processed Meat:

Meats like sausage, hot dogs, and sandwich meat all contain sodium nitrate, a preservative linked with headaches.

2. MSG:

Monosodium glutamate or MSG has gotten a bad rap over the years for links to obesity. It’s a health trend to cut MSG-rich foods from your diet. Here’s another reason to: it’s linked to migraine headaches.

3. Aged Cheese

Okay, some of us think we’re from France and love cheese so old it has enough mold on it to be thrown away in most circles. The stinkier the better…right? Well if a little (or a lot) of mold on cheese doesn’t bother you, the possibility of a migraine forming may. 

4. Red Wine 

All alcohol can lead to a migraine. Alcohol can lead to dehydration and, as a symptom of dehydration, a migraine may form. Moreover, red wine gives a higher probability of producing a migraine than other alcoholic beverages. Why? Obviously, alcohol is a big part of the threat. But did you know that other ingredients such as yeast, tannins, oak, and other additives also contribute to the possibility of a throbbing headache?

5. Aspartame:

This is the artificial sweetener found in diet sodas. Studies show that aspartame causes cancerous cells to form. While many consumers feel like they are doing the smart thing by substituting the common sugar with “diet” sugar, but in many cases it’s worse for the body. This sweetener also causes headaches, in case you were wondering.

Foods that Help with Migraines

Now that you know what are the foods that cause migraines, here are some foods that help:

From our partner

Do you still have gout symptoms even though you're taking medication? You’re not alone. The Kadence study is a clinical research study for adults with uncontrolled gout. Learn More

1. Peppermint

A cross of spearmint and water mint, peppermint grows throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Peppermint leaves and their essential oils are used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. In addition to a headache treatment, it’s also used to relieve:

– spasms
– toothaches
– gastrointestinal problems
– nausea

Peppermint oil and its active ingredient, menthol, are available in liquid capsule form. Tea versions are also available for easy brewing. A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice found that menthol was effective at stopping migraine pain and easing nausea when applied to the forehead and temples in a 10 percent solution.

Research is limited on its clinical effectiveness, but topical peppermint oil may be a good herbal option for the relief of migraine pain. Peppermint oil is one of the easiest herbal remedies to try because of its prevalence in health food stores and pharmacies.

CHECK: 5 Things You Never Knew Were Triggering Your Migraines

2. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

First used in ancient Greece in as early as the fifth century B.C., feverfew (or “featherfew”) has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments. These include fever, swelling, and inflammation. People commonly took the herb to relieve aches and pains such as headaches in the first century.

The plant is native to the Balkan Mountains but can now be found nearly worldwide. Eastern European cultures traditionally used feverfew for headaches, insect bites, and other pain. More modern uses have extended to the treatment of:

From our partner

People 16+ years old struggling with lupus: Find out if the PHOENYCS FLY Study may be for you. Study-related care provided at no cost.

– migraines
– dizziness
– inflammation
– breathing problems

Feverfew is usually prepared by drying leaves, flowers, and stems. This combination is also used to make supplements and extracts. Some cultures eat the leaves raw.

An article published in Pharmacognosy Review suggested that feverfew is an effective treatment for migraines, fever, the common cold, and arthritis. However, a Cochrane review of five large clinical trials showed little to no benefit for the majority of people who experience migraines.

Feverfew may cause minor side effects such as bloating, canker sores, and nausea. You may also experience moderate side effects when discontinuing use. These side effects can include difficulty sleeping, increased headaches, and joint pain. Pregnant women, those taking blood thinning medications, and those with allergies to members of the daisy family should avoid the use of feverfew.

READ: Migraines: Working With Your Doctor to Find Your Triggers

3. Ginger

Ginger has been used in herbal medicines in China for over 2,000 years. It has also been popular in Indian and Arabic medicines since ancient times. Ginger has traditionally been used as a spice and as a remedy for:

– headaches
– stomach pain
– nausea
– arthritis
– cold and flu symptoms
– neurological problems

Ginger has been well-documented as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial. In addition, a study published in the Journal of Phytotherapy Research showed that ginger powder benefits were comparable to sumatriptan, a common migraine prescription, but with fewer side effects. Most people can tolerate fresh or dried ginger root, supplements, or extract. Be careful not to combine ginger supplements with blood thinners because of potential drug interactions. Ginger capsules and ginger tea are both relatively easy to obtain in almost any grocery store or pharmacy.