| Many people who suffer from migraine attacks | | | | Theobromine is an alkaloid found primarily in chocolate. |
| wonder if their diet could be contributing to their | | | | Theobromine is a vasodilator (causes blood vessels to |
| headaches, pain, and nausea. The link between food | | | | relax and widen) known to stimulate circulation. |
| and migraines is a deeply divided issue. Many people | | | | Migraines are thought to be affected by blood vessel |
| strongly believe that it is not possible for food to cause | | | | circulation although many people may not notice any |
| migraines and as such, make no effort to change their | | | | adverse effects from consuming chocolate. |
| diets. Other people believevehementlyvehemently that | | | | Phenylethylamine |
| food is very much a migraine trigger and work very | | | | Phenylethylamine is a neurotransmitter occurring |
| hard to avoid any food linked with migraines. The real | | | | naturally within the body. Like Theobromine, |
| truth of the matter is that many people are affected | | | | Phenylethylamine is found primarily in cocoa, chocolate, |
| by the migraine triggering chemicals in certain foods - | | | | and in nutritional supplements for treating depression |
| but it is always important to remember that as | | | | and weight gain. |
| migraine triggers vary from person to person, not | | | | Sodium nitrite |
| every food or chemical with affect every person. | | | | Sodium nitrite is used to prevent the growth of |
| The top migraine triggering chemicals found in food: | | | | bacteria in fresh meats. As such this is a common |
| Caffeine | | | | treatment for many preserved or processed meats |
| Caffeine is found in many popular beverages including | | | | including sausages, bacon, salami, canned or smoked |
| coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks. Caffeine is also | | | | meats. In large doses sodium nitrite is toxic but even in |
| found in foods containing chocolate. Many people do | | | | smaller amounts some sensitive individuals might be |
| not tolerate caffeine well and can develop headaches | | | | bothered by headaches due to increased blood flow |
| shortly after consumption. Other individuals can | | | | to the brain. |
| unknowingly become dependent on their daily caffeine | | | | MSG |
| fixes and suffer withdrawal headaches when they | | | | Many people have read about the risks of consuming |
| miss a "dosage." | | | | MSG. MSG is frequently added to processed food to |
| Tyramine | | | | improve flavor and increase feelings of satisfaction. |
| Tyramine is an amino acid found in aged cheeses, | | | | MSG is believed to act as a neuron exciter, and |
| processed/preserved meats, red wine, nuts, certain | | | | neuron excitement is believed to actually cause |
| fruits, nuts, peas, and beans.Tyramine is thought to | | | | migraine attacks. |
| trigger migraines due to the fact that when absorbed | | | | Alcohol |
| by one's body tyramine can closely mimic | | | | Alcohol can cause migraines through dehydration by |
| neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine - | | | | causing the body to produce more urine than normal |
| two chemical thought to affect migraines. | | | | and by dilating one's blood vessels. |
| Theobromine | | | | |