Studies show that before a migraine strikes the brain, you want certain foods.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Some people complain about headache after eating certain foods, especially those high in sugar or refined carbohydrates, such as a piece of chocolate cake or a bowl of pasta. This is in line with a 2018 study which concluded that nearly 30 percent of patients reported consuming certain foods as triggering headaches.
However, the new study, according to professor of neurology at King’s College London and the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Peter Goadsby, points out that it’s most likely not the food that causes the migraine. But instead migraine that causes people to eat certain foods.
He, as quoted from Channel News Asia, Monday (16/5/2022), explained that the initial stage of a migraine attack or the so-called prodrome phase can start a few hours to a few days before the headache phase strikes. During this phase, people may experience symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, light sensitivity, muscle stiffness, yawning and increased urination.
During this time, he adds, brain imaging studies have shown the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that regulates hunger, is activated, causing people to want and eat certain foods. “It’s pretty clear this area changes activity before the pain starts. Some people crave savory or salty snacks, while others crave sweets and chocolates,” says Dr. Goadsby.
Then, once they’ve indulged their cravings and the migraine headache phase begins, it’s natural for people to wonder if something they’ve eaten is contributing to the pain, says Dr Rashmi Halker Singh, Headache Treatment and Neurology Specialist at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Arizona.
Chocolate is said to be one of the most reported migraine trigger foods. A review of research in the journal Nutrients in 2020 however concluded there was not enough evidence to suggest that chocolate causes migraines. If you have frequent food cravings before a migraine, it’s a good idea to pay attention to them, along with other prodromal phase symptoms, so you can prepare for what’s to come.
You might use that time to find a migraine remedy and choose an earlier bedtime. Margaret Slavin, professor of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University, said foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates can also cause blood sugar to spike, leading to an overly large insulin response.
Insulin helps normalize blood sugar, but too much insulin can cause low blood sugar. This condition is called hypoglycemia and symptoms include headaches, tremors, fatigue, and dizziness.
For people with migraines, it may be worth trying to cut back on added sugars and replace them in favor of anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains and fish. But, because research on the link between diet and headaches is limited, Dr Slavin notes, there isn’t enough evidence to recommend a specific diet that prevents migraines.
Skipping meals is also frequently reported as a migraine trigger. Dr Halker Singh advises his patients to eat a nutritious diet on a regular basis, in addition to getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and managing stress.
source: Between
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