When one experiences severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation on one side of the head, they are said to be suffering from migraine. Severe migraine is often accompanied by other common symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. People tend to notice certain precursors of migraines, known as auras, such as flashes of light or tingling on one side of the face before the migraine actually begins.

There are several things that trigger migraines in people. Some of these triggers are found in the food we consume. Some common migraine food triggers are as follows:

1. Foods containing MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a naturally occurring sodium salt of glutamic acid. There are certain foods that contain this compound as an additive. These foods include processed or artificially flavored foods such as barbecue sauce, salad dressings, etc.

2. Aged cheese
Aged cheese, depending upon the duration for which they have been aged, contain large amounts of a substance called tyramine. This substance occurs as a result of breakdown of proteins, which ultimately results in the process of aging of the food. This specific chemical only increases as long as the food is aged, and results in migraine headaches in people. Common cheeses that contain tyramine are blue cheese, feta cheese, and Parmesan cheese.

3. Alcohol
Alcohol is easily one of the most common migraine food triggers. Out of all the variants of alcohol, red wine is said to be the most common trigger of migraine in people. This may be because of the various tannins, sulfate preservatives, and other contaminants present in red wine. Alcohol severely dehydrates the body, which causes a shortage of oxygen being supplied to the brain, leading to migraine headaches. Moreover, the hangover that occurs the next day after consumption of excess alcohol can also lead to migraine sometimes.

4. Caffeine
After alcohol, one of the most common triggers of migraines in people is considered to be caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine causes dehydration in the body, which results in migraine headaches in people. People who have developed a habit of consuming caffeine tend to experience severe migraines when they do not consume caffeine-related products. Therefore, instead of going back and forth with your coffee habits, it is better to consume it in recommended proportions so as to avoid getting dependent on caffeine.

5. Processed and cured meats
Processed and cured meats such as deli meats, ham, hot dogs, and sausages contain certain chemical preservatives in them that increase their shelf-life. These preservatives are made up of a large number of nitrates that help in preserving the color and flavor of the meat. When these nitrates enter our bloodstream, they release nitric oxide. This causes the blood vessels in the brain to dilate, increasing the blood pressure, which eventually leads to migraines.