| No one knows for certain exactly what causes | | | | cheeses like cream and new cheeses do not |
| migraines. Currently it is thought a series of small | | | | appear to pose as much of a problem. |
| irritations or events build up until the dam bursts | | | | Processed Meats |
| and a migraine headache is triggered. What causes | | | | One of the major triggers is believed to be |
| migraines, or triggers them, varies from individual | | | | nitrates. The most prevalent source of nitrates |
| to individual. What affects one person won't have | | | | for many people is processed meat such as hot |
| the slightest affect on others. Migraine triggers are | | | | dogs, bacon, sausages, lunch meats and the like. |
| very personal. The experience of many who | | | | Condiments |
| suffer from these headaches is that a particular | | | | Many have found salad dressings to be a fairly |
| food or mix of foods will tip them over the edge | | | | common trigger for them. There is no known |
| into a headache. | | | | reason for this although it may be related to a |
| The problem with food triggers is that science | | | | combination of several other triggers gelling in one |
| can find no common basis for them. There is no | | | | place. |
| conclusive evidence linking certain foods with the | | | | Spices and Additives |
| onset of headaches, almost all the data is | | | | Any spices or items with a pungent smell can be |
| anecdotal and there is a lot of that, no matter | | | | a trigger. With many of these it may not be so |
| what the scientists say. | | | | much the pungent odor of the spice or item of |
| Whilst almost any food can be a trigger there are | | | | food in question that is the problem but perhaps |
| some foods that are to be more common as a | | | | may be more about the sensitivity of the person |
| cause than others, some of which are listed | | | | smelling the odor. The most problematic |
| below: | | | | seasonings or spices for those susceptible to |
| Cheese | | | | migraines include monosodium glutamate, |
| Many who suffer from migraines find cheese to | | | | commonly known as MSG, artificial sweeteners, |
| be a common trigger. More prone to starting an | | | | vinegars and food dyes. |
| attack are hard or specifically aged cheeses. Soft | | | | |