Headache: 10 Foods That Can Help It
Headache is a symptom that occurs in various pathologies, but it can also be caused by factors such as stress, prolonged use of electronic devices or poor nutrition.
The latter is one of the causes that most strikes the attention of scholars, since it is believed that more than 30% of migraine cases are attributable to foods and drinks that alter the body’s functions.
Although research to prove the relationship between headaches and nutrition is still insufficient, a large number of experts point to certain foods as possible causes of this annoying symptom.
Frequent consumption of these foods, combined with stressful situations or hormonal changes, are one of the reasons why the rate of the population suffering from headaches reaches as much as 80%.
With these data in hand, and aware of the fact that we are all potentially at risk, it is important to know which foods can promote headaches. In this way it will be easier to avoid consumption, especially when you find yourself experiencing certain situations that, in themselves, are the cause of headaches.
10 foods that can cause headaches
1. Cheeses
If the headache hits you several times a week, the best thing you can do is stop consuming hard, over-fermented cheeses.
Even if nothing happens when you eat them once in a while, it is best to try not to eat these types of cheese, to avoid annoying headaches.
The reason why this food causes such discomfort is due to its high concentration of certain nitrogen compounds, called biogenic amines.
2. Chocolate
The dark chocolate is a health food which, if taken in moderation, can be an excellent ally to the brain and skin.
However, due to its high fat content, its consumption may be inappropriate for those suffering from headaches.
In fact, this food has a large concentration of tyramine, a molecule that causes vasoconstriction in our body.
3. Cola-based drinks
Cola-based sodas not only increase the risk of suffering from obesity or bone problems, but can also cause severe headaches.
These drinks, in fact, contain phenylethylamine, an alkaloid that acts on the brain and promotes the onset of this malaise.
4. Sausages and salami
The sausages, cured meats and foods processed at industrial level are used to contain nitrites and nitrates, preservatives that keep these products in good condition, but were correlated with the occurrence of migraines and headaches.
In addition to this, it has also been proven that these substances, if subjected to high temperatures, can be carcinogenic.
5. Flours
Refined flours, and also other foods that contain gluten, can be responsible for the onset of headaches, due to the presence of certain inflammatory elements.
It is therefore advisable to avoid consumption and opt for products based on wholemeal flours.
6. Ice cream
A good creamy ice cream is really enjoyable, because it stimulates the neurotransmitters that cause happiness.
However, this sweet food can cause the opposite effect, especially in those people prone to have headaches or suffer from migraines.
Since it contains fat and it is a cold food, it acts on the nervous system to the point of causing pain : this happens because it exerts both a vasodilating and a vasoconstrictive action on the brain.
7. Canned figs
Canned figs may seem like a healthy food, but they are not suitable for migraine sufferers.
Their high tyramine content stimulates the blood vessels of the brain and increases the chances of developing a headache attack.
8. Salt
High-salt foods are not only bad for blood pressure, they also cause frequent headaches and migraines.
This happens because they are foods that cause a great retention of liquids in the tissues of the body, a disorder that causes serious imbalances in the inflammatory processes of the organism.
9. Chinese food
Chinese food is delicious, as well as being perfect for special occasions; however, when you suffer from frequent attacks of migraines or headaches, this type of cuisine should be avoided.
In fact, most Chinese dishes are prepared with monosodium glutamate and other spices that increase head pressure, causing dilation of the taste buds and increasing brain activity that causes pain.
10. Canned fish
Canned fish contains a high concentration of biogenic amines such as, for example, histamine or phenylethylamine. These substances can accumulate in the body and cause severe headaches.
As we have already said at the beginning, headaches can be caused by several factors. However, it is convenient to avoid all of these foods as much as possible to reduce the risk of a migraine or headache.
