The unexpected reason you might be getting migraines revealed

After all, not only does a migraine make us sick, cause extreme pain, and force us to live in darkness – it can also last up to 72 hours.

Most of the time we shrug it off as stress. But, what if that’s not the only reason?

According to new research by Lloyds Pharmacy, diet could play a significant role in suffering with migraines.

And, sadly, you might have to kiss your daily Diet Coke goodbye because artificial sweeteners like aspartame (which is found in diet products and sugar-free drinks) could be a potential trigger.

Of the people surveyed a whopping 89% of them weren’t aware that sweeteners could be the culprit of their debilitating headaches.

So, maybe stick to hydrating with water instead.

Some of our favourite crisps like Doritos and Pringles, as well as Chinese food and seasoning blends, could also be giving us a migraine.

A huge 94% of respondents were unaware of the link between the food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in the above, and the likelihood of getting headaches.

Cured meats were another potential cause of migraine symptoms that only 1% of respondents knew about.

The reason they could be responsible for headaches is because they contain nitrates which dilate blood vessels, potentially causing your symptoms.

Dairy (particularly soft cheeses) contains high levels of tyramine, as does pickled or fermented foods like sauerkraut and soy sauce, which can trigger migraines.

Tyramine is an amino acid which, in excess, can spike your blood pressure and it can also be found in red wine.

When it comes to diet, other more well-known triggers include caffeine, alcohol and salty foods.

About 31% of respondents attributed caffeine as the cause of their migraines but a mere 6.4% cut down their intake to ease their symptoms.

Alcohol was revealed by one in three respondents to be the cause of their migraines, with 33% pointing the finger directly at prosecco. Whereas 31% blamed champagne, 28% named beer, 25% noted cider while another 25% said tequila.

These drinks, like MSG, can expand blood vessels in the brain and cause headaches, as well as disrupting our sleep patterns which we all know can give us that migraine.

What foods will help prevent migraines?

It goes without saying that avoiding heavily-processed foods will always benefit your health, but according to Lloyds Pharmacy the following foods could help reduce migraines.

Leafy greens – so kale, spinach, cabbage, romaine lettuce, beet greens and collard greens – are high in folate (vitamin-B9 or folic acid) which can help reduce the likelihood of migraines.

Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and therefore headaches. So pop fatty fish, flaxseed and chia seeds in your basket.

A low-fat and low-sodium diet can also be beneficial when trying to prevent migraines. So less salty foods and avoiding fatty cuts of meat, sausages, pies, cream, butter, chocolate, biscuits and cakes could help.

Dr Neel Patel, GP, said: ‘While the triggers for migraines can vary widely from person to person, it may take some trial and error to determine which foods are responsible, especially if you aren’t aware of the foods and drinks that could be problematic for you.

‘We recommend keeping a food diary which can help you to identify patterns and triggers for your migraines.

‘If you suspect that certain foods are leading to symptoms, try eliminating them from your diet for a while to see if they improve.’

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