Posted on Feb 23, 2009

Aged cheese and other tyramine-containing foods: Tyramine is a substance found naturally in some foods. It is formed from the breakdown of protein as foods age. Generally, the longer a high-protein food ages, the greater the tyramine content. The amount of tyramine in cheeses differs greatly due to the variations in processing, fermenting, aging, degradation or even bacterial contamination. Tyramine is also found in red wine, alcoholic beverages, and some processed meats. Alcohol: Blood flow to your brain increases when you drink alcohol. Some scientists blame the headache on impurities in alcohol or by-products produced as your body metabolizes alcohol. Red wine, beer, whiskey, and champagne are the most commonly identified headache triggers. Food additives: Food preservatives (or additives) contained in certain foods can trigger headaches. The additives, nitrates and nitrites, dilate blood vessels, causing headaches in some people. Cold foods: Cold food, like ice cream, can cause headaches in some people. It's more likely to occur if you are over-heated from exercise or hot temperatures. Pain, which is felt in the forehead, peaks 25 to 60 seconds and lasts from several seconds to one or two minutes. More than 90% of migraine sufferers report sensitivity to ice cream and cold substances. Foods that may trigger migraines: Aged, canned, cured or processed meat, including bologna, game, ham, herring, hot dogs, pepperoni and sausage Aged cheese Alcoholic beverages, especially red wine Aspartame Avocados Beans, including pole, broad, lima, Italian, navy, pinto and garbanzo Brewer's yeast, including fresh yeast coffee cake, donuts and sourdough bread Caffeine (in excess) Canned soup or bouillon cubes Chocolate, cocoa and carob Cultured dairy products, such as buttermilk and sour cream Figs Lentils Meat tenderizer Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Nuts and peanut butter Onions, except small amounts for flavoring Papaya Passion fruit Pea pods Pickled, preserved or marinated foods, such as olives and pickles, and some snack foods Raisins Red plums Sauerkraut Seasoned salt Snow peas Soy sauce Ice cream headaches One bite into an ice cream cone and you're struck with a stabbing headache. Ice pops, slushy frozen drinks, and other cold foods and drinks can have the same "brain freeze" effect. Ice cream headaches cause sharp, stabbing pain in the forehead. The pain often peaks about 30 to 60 seconds after it begins. Ice cream headaches rarely last longer than a minute or two. Ice cream headaches rarely need treatment. Typically, the pain quickly disappears after the cold food or drink is swallowed.