Contents:
- Medical Video: Migraine Headaches : Foods Causing Migraines
- What is tiramin?
- How can tiramin trigger migraines?
- Foods and beverages that contain tiramin
- Tips for avoiding tiramin in foods
Medical Video: Migraine Headaches : Foods Causing Migraines
Migraine attacks can occur at any time, even after eating. One side of the head will feel pain then spread to the entire head. Yes, migraines are indeed triggered by various things. Starting from stress, noise, dazzling light, certain foods and drinks, to lack of sleep.
However, if a migraine often recurs after you eat, you may be sensitive to tiramin. Tiramin itself is a chemical that can trigger migraines. Come on, learn more about the following tiramin and migraines.
What is tiramin?
Tiramin is an amino acid tyrosine that can be found naturally in foods containing protein and in the human body. This substance began to be suspected as a migraine trigger in the 1960s. The latest research in 2010 also confirmed the findings of these experts.
Therefore, a low-tiramin diet is intended for people with migraines or sensitive to these amino acids.
How can tiramin trigger migraines?
Researchers are still studying how exactly tiramin can trigger migraines. One of the strongest reasons is that tiramin results in the release of various types of stress hormones into the blood. These hormones are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
In ideal situations, these three hormones are responsible for providing an energy boost. However, it will be dangerous if this hormone is released in excessive amounts and you are not experiencing physical or psychological stress. The effects you feel include increasing blood pressure, hunting heart rate, migraines, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Foods and beverages that contain tiramin
In your body, tiramin serves to help the body process protein. Therefore, this substance is usually found in many protein-rich foods. Especially if the food has been stored for too long. Because the level of tiramin will continue to increase over time. So, foods that are fermented or left alone for a long time must contain more tiramin.
Note if the foods below trigger your migraine.
- Cheese
- Smoked milkfish
- Anchovy
- Salted fish
- Smoked meat
- Fruit that is too ripe
- Fermented soybeans, such as tempeh, tofu, and soy sauce
- Kimchi
- Pickles
- Asinan
Other foods that may contain moderate to low levels of tyramine include sausages, beef meatballs and fish, avocados, beer, and wine (fermented wine). If not consumed excessively, migraine symptoms may not appear.
Tips for avoiding tiramin in foods
Avoid prepackaged meat, smoked meat or fish, and dried fish. The best choice always falls on fresh meat and fish. Do not store meat or fish in the refrigerator for too long. For that, just buy in small quantities.
Likewise with vegetables and fruits. Immediately consume at most two days after you buy. Do not force eat or cook vegetables or fruit that already looks wilted, wrinkled, or dry. Because, cooking vegetables or fruit will not reduce the level of tiramin at all.
