Frederic Melton
Many factors can trigger headaches and migraines, including certain foods and drinks. While there is limited research on cheese as a migraine trigger, it is generally believed that aged cheeses with high levels of tyramine, such as blue cheese, are more likely to cause headaches. Tyramine, a substance that forms as proteins in cheese break down, can lead to increased blood pressure and narrowed blood vessels, resulting in headaches and migraines. In addition to blue cheese, other aged cheeses like Swiss, Cheddar, and Parmesan are also associated with higher tyramine content. To identify specific triggers, it is recommended to maintain a headache diary and consult a doctor for personalized advice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does blue cheese cause headaches? | Blue cheese is a type of aged cheese that contains tyramine, a substance that has been linked to headaches and migraines. The longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it contains. Therefore, blue cheese may contribute to headaches in some individuals. |
| What is tyramine? | Tyramine is a chemical or protein byproduct that forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time. It causes nerve cells in the brain to release norepinephrine, which can lead to changes in brain chemistry and trigger headaches. |
| Other sources of tyramine | Tyramine is also found in processed or cured meats, fermented foods, and other aged cheeses such as Swiss, cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan. It is also present in nuts, pickled foods, and fermented soy products. |
| Managing headaches | Keeping a headache diary can help identify specific triggers. Avoiding tyramine-rich foods and following a low-tyramine diet may be beneficial for some individuals. Other triggers may include environmental factors, stress, bright lights, changes in sleeping habits, and artificial sweeteners. |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese is high in tyramine
While there is not much research on cheese as a migraine trigger, it is generally agreed that aged cheese is more likely to cause a headache. Blue cheese is a type of aged cheese, and it is high in tyramine.
Tyramine is a substance found naturally in some foods, and it has been associated with triggering headaches and migraines. It is a protein byproduct, and when it enters the body, it causes the release of norepinephrine, a brain chemical. The release of norepinephrine can lead to changes in the brain that result in headaches. As a result of the increased levels of tyramine and brain chemicals, blood vessels constrict, causing an increase in blood pressure that can lead to headaches and migraines.
The longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it contains. Other aged cheeses that are high in tyramine include cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Parmesan, and feta. In addition to cheese, tyramine can be found in processed or cured meats and fermented foods. Examples of tyramine-rich foods include salami, hot dogs, nuts, pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, wine, and beer.
If you suspect that blue cheese or other tyramine-rich foods may be triggering your headaches, you can try keeping a headache diary for several months. This involves recording the time and date when a headache starts and answering questions about potential triggers, such as exposure to strong smells, bright lights, or unusual stress. By analyzing the diary, you may be able to identify patterns and determine if tyramine-rich foods are contributing to your headaches.
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Tyramine is a common trigger for headaches and migraines
While there is not much research on cheese as a migraine trigger, it is generally agreed that aged cheese is more likely to cause headaches. The culprit is believed to be tyramine, a substance that forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time. The longer a cheese ages, the more tyramine it contains.
Aged cheeses such as blue cheese, Swiss, cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan are high in tyramine. Other tyramine-rich foods include processed meats like salami and hot dogs, as well as nuts. Pickled foods, fermented soy products, and other aged and fermented foods like vinegar, sauerkraut, kimchi, wine, and beer also contain tyramine.
If you suspect that tyramine is triggering your headaches or migraines, it may be helpful to follow a low-tyramine diet. Keeping a headache diary for several months can help you and your doctor identify if tyramine or other triggers are the cause of your headaches. However, it is important to note that triggers can vary from person to person, and a combination of triggers may lead to a headache.
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Other foods that contain tyramine
Blue cheese, like other aged cheeses, contains high levels of tyramine, which is a common trigger of migraine headaches. The body relies on an enzyme known as monoamine oxidase to break down tyramine. However, some people do not produce enough of this enzyme to process tyramine effectively, resulting in high tyramine levels that can lead to several health issues, including headaches and high blood pressure.
- Aged cheeses such as Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, Gouda, feta, and Camembert
- Cured, smoked, or processed meats, including salami, pepperoni, hot dogs, bologna, bacon, and smoked fish
- Pickled vegetables, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled beets, cucumbers, and peppers
- Fermented soy products like miso, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce
- Fermented alcohol, including beer, red wine, vermouth, sherry, and some liqueurs
If you are sensitive to tyramine or taking medications that interfere with monoamine oxidase production, it is essential to limit or avoid these foods to prevent potential health risks and manage migraine headaches.
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Other common triggers for headaches
While blue cheese can cause headaches, there are several other common triggers for headaches as well. These include:
Stress
Stress is a common trigger for migraine headaches. Migraines usually begin on one side of the head, throb or pound, cause sensitivity to light and sound, and can last for hours or days.
Hormones
Changes in estrogen levels are associated with migraines in women, who suffer from migraines more frequently than men.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a common cause of migraine headaches. Red wine, in particular, is prone to triggering headaches, perhaps due to the presence of histamines in it. However, any kind of alcohol can be a trigger.
Caffeine
Caffeine is another trigger for headaches. However, interestingly, a cup of coffee can also stop migraine symptoms for some people, and some medications designed to fight migraine pain contain caffeine.
Weather
Weather changes, such as grey skies, high humidity, rising temperatures, storms, and changes in barometric pressure, can bring on headaches. Pressure changes during weather fluctuations are thought to trigger chemical and electrical changes in the brain, which irritate nerves and lead to a headache.
Sleep
Sleeping in late or getting more than eight hours of sleep at a time can trigger headaches. This is because the rapid drop in stress hormones during extended sleep causes a quick release of neurotransmitters, which send out impulses to blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, resulting in a headache.
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Migraines are not always caused by food
While certain foods can trigger migraines, they are not always the root cause. Migraines are a complex condition with a variety of potential triggers, and these vary from person to person. It is important to identify and understand these triggers to effectively manage migraine symptoms.
Aged cheeses, such as blue cheese, have been linked to migraines due to their high tyramine content. Tyramine, a substance that forms as proteins in cheese break down, can cause changes in the brain that lead to headaches. However, not all experts agree that cheese is a significant trigger. According to one source, there is a lack of research specifically linking cheese to migraines.
Other potential dietary triggers include artificial sweeteners, alcohol (especially red wine), and processed meats. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in soy sauce and other products, is also a common trigger. However, it is worth noting that these dietary factors may only be mild contributors or may be misidentified as triggers. For example, while ice cream is often blamed for causing headaches, the trigger is more likely to be the cold temperature rather than the ice cream itself.
In addition to diet, there are numerous other factors that can trigger migraines. These include environmental changes, tobacco, hormonal fluctuations, stress, bright lights, loud noises, changes in sleeping patterns, and dehydration. It is important to be mindful of these factors and keep a headache diary to help identify specific triggers. By understanding and managing triggers effectively, individuals can take control of their migraine symptoms and reduce their impact on overall well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese, especially when aged, is known to cause headaches in some people. This is due to the presence of tyramine, which forms as the proteins in cheese break down over time.
Tyramine is a substance found naturally in some foods, including aged cheese. It is a protein byproduct and causes the narrowing of blood vessels, which leads to increased blood pressure and, subsequently, headaches and migraines.
Other common foods that can trigger headaches include processed meats (e.g. salami, bacon), nuts, pickled foods, fermented soy products (e.g. miso, soy sauce), and artificial sweeteners. Additionally, factors such as changes in sleeping habits, stress, and exposure to bright lights or loud noises can also contribute to headaches.
