How does diet cause a headache?
Headaches can result from either serotonin level or blood vessel changes in the brain. Experts believe that certain chemicals in foods such as amines, nitrates and sulfites may influence these factors enough to trigger a headache. Marks and other experts maintain that it is not a food allergy that causes the headache, but rather a sensitivity or intolerance to that particular food. You also need to know that a certain food may only trigger a headache under special circumstances, such as when you are under a lot of stress, fatigued, or, in a woman’s case, premenstrual. What foods and beverages trigger headaches? Although you or your loved one may have to work hard to identify and eliminate problem foods, it helps to know what foods commonly trigger headaches. Most common triggers • red wine • beer • chocolate • caffeine (ironically a chemical that alleviates some headaches) Fairly common triggers • aged cheeses • cured meats (bacon, salami, pepperoni, sausage, ham, bologna) • nuts • mon
