Foods That Can Make Headaches

Headache is a common problem that can be suffered by anyone from all ages and walks of life. There are many things that can cause headaches, one of them from food. Any food that can make a headache?

More than 100 million people suffer from various types of chronic headaches. There are different types of causes
why people get headaches, such as stress, illness and allergies. But in many patients, eating certain foods can also cause headaches.

Here are some foods that can trigger headaches, as reported by Lifemojo, Friday (05/13/2011):

1. Cheese
Cheese contains an amino acid called tyramine, which has been associated with various types of headaches, especially migraine. Tyramine formed from the breakdown of proteins in certain foods. Generally, the older the food protein, the greater the tyramine content.

Because of variations in processing, fermentation or aging of different cheeses, the amount of tyramine may be different on each cheese. Other foods high tyramine is red wine, smoked fish, processed meats, pickles, certain nuts such as five, avocado and nuts.

2. Food additives containing nitrite or nitrate
Additives such as sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate is used as a preservative, colorant and flavor in foods such as hot dogs, bacon, salami, sausages and other processed meats.

These additives can dilate blood vessels cause headaches in some people. Headaches caused by the additives usually felt on both sides of the head.

3. Foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Monosodium glutamate is a food additive or a flavor enhancer found in soy sauce, meat tenderizer and a lot of food packaging. Headaches caused by a MSG may occur within 20 to 30 minutes after consumption and can cause symptoms such as chest pressure, dizziness, headache in the front or side of the head, stomach discomfort or burning sensation in the neck, chest or shoulders.

4. Cold food
Eating or drinking something too cold can cause headaches that typically last for less than five minutes. Previously also known as 'brain freeze' or ice cream headache. The pain in this type of headache is usually felt in the middle of the forehead.

More than 90 percent of migraine sufferers report sensitivity to ice cream and need to be careful with food and beverages cold.

5. Other foods
Some headache sufferers also reported other foods that can trigger headaches, such as onions, bananas, citrus fruits, chocolate, aspartame and other artificial sweeteners.