Some foods in our diet can spark off
migraine attacks in susceptible individuals. Some foods can bring an attack on through an
allergic reaction. A certain number such as citrus fruits,
tea,
coffee, pork, chocolate, milk, nuts, vegetables and cola drinks have been cited as possible
allergens associated with
migraine. This mechanism has however been criticized: an improvement in symptoms by eliminating some food(s) from our diet does not necessarily mean an immunologically based
allergic reaction. The high
IgE incidence rate is not greater in such patients than in the population at large. Other
allergic reactions unrelated to diet may also be associated with
migraine attacks. On the other hand substances in food may be the cause of modifications in vascular tone and bring
migraine on in those so prone. Among such substances are
tyramine,
phenylalanine, phenolic
flavonoids, alcohol,
food additives (
sodium nitrate,
monosodium glutamate,
aspartame) and
caffeine. Another recognized trigger for
migraine is
hypoglycemia. Such foods as chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, bananas, nuts, 'cured' meats, dairy products, cereals, beans, hot dogs, pizza,
food additives (
sodium nitrate,
monosodium glutamate in Chinese restaurant food,
aspartame as a
sweetener),
coffee,
tea, cola drinks, alcoholic drinks such as red wine, beer or whisky distilled in
copper stills, all may bring on a
migraine attack. For every patient we have to assess which foodstuffs are involved in the attack (not necessarily produced by consuming the product concerned) in order to try to avoid their consumptions as a means of prophylaxis for
migraine.