Almost everyone has experienced a headache. Colds, fevers, abnormal blood pressure, vision problems, neurasthenia, fatigue, and more can all cause headaches. In addition, improper diet is also a common cause of headaches. Recently, the American "Daily Medical Website" published an article analyzing common foods that cause headaches.
1. Artificially sweetened foods. Artificially sweetened foods contain a substance called aspartame, which can over-stimulate or interfere with nerve endings, leading to muscle tension and triggering migraines. Aspartame is found in products like Diet Coke, chewing gum, and ice cream. Some people who are allergic to artificial sweeteners can get a headache from just sipping a small amount of diet soda.
2. Monosodium glutamate (MSG). The main component of MSG is sodium glutamate, which can break down into glutamate during digestion. In brain tissue, this glutamate is converted by enzymes into an inhibitory neurotransmitter. When too much MSG is consumed, this inhibitory neurotransmitter can suppress various nerve functions in the body, leading to a series of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and muscle spasms; some people may also become agitated and anxious; and people with more sensitive constitutions may even experience bone pain and muscle weakness.
In addition to packaged MSG, you will also encounter sodium glutamate in many other foods: packaged soup mixes, frozen foods, salad dressings, processed ready meals, and various snacks.
3. Alcohol. Besides the alcohol itself, which can cause headaches, red wine and beer also contain tyramine (mentioned earlier), as well as histamine and sulfites, all of which can stimulate your nerves and trigger headaches. Additionally, besides alcohol, red wine contains another substance that can cause headaches—tannin, also known as tannic acid.
4. Cheese. Tyramine, produced during its metabolic process, is the main culprit causing headaches. Normally, ingested tyramine is broken down and digested by enzymes in the intestines and liver. However, in some patients, a lack of these enzymes or the presence of enzyme inhibitors in medications they are taking (for example, many antidepressants) can allow tyramine to enter the circulatory system, stimulating blood vessels and causing them to spasm, which in turn triggers a headache.
Besides cheese, foods containing tyramine also include red wine, beer, fava beans, and foods that have been preserved for a long time, such as pickles, cured meats, bacon, and salted fish. Therefore, the key to preventing this type of headache is to eat fresh food as much as possible.