Andy Montoya
Feta cheese is a delicious addition to many dishes, but it may be causing you headaches. Feta is a type of cheese that is often aged, and aged cheeses are known to be high in tyramine—a substance that has been linked to triggering headaches and migraines. Tyramine affects the diameter of the blood vessels in your brain, causing changes that can lead to headaches. If you suspect feta cheese or other aged cheeses are triggering your headaches, consider cutting down on tyramine-rich foods and consulting a doctor or dietitian for advice on managing this condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feta cheese cause headaches | Yes, feta cheese is high in tyramine, a substance that can trigger migraine headaches. |
| Tyramine | A chemical that can cause changes in the brain leading to headaches. |
| Tyramine-rich foods | Aged cheese, cured meats, pickled foods, fermented soy products, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and processed foods. |
| Preventative measures | Keeping a headache diary, consulting a doctor, limiting/avoiding tyramine-rich foods, and taking medication. |
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What You'll Learn
- Feta cheese is high in tyramine, which can cause headaches
- Tyramine narrows blood vessels in the brain, triggering migraines
- Other foods high in tyramine include aged cheeses, cured meats, and pickles
- Alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners can also cause headaches
- Keeping a food diary can help identify if feta cheese causes your headaches
Feta cheese is high in tyramine, which can cause headaches
The ageing process in cheese allows it to develop a deeper flavour and a harder texture. During this time, the cheese accumulates higher levels of tyramine, which can trigger headaches. Tyramine causes the release of norepinephrine, a brain chemical, leading to changes in the brain that result in headaches.
Feta cheese, being an aged cheese, is therefore likely to contain significant amounts of tyramine and contribute to headaches in susceptible individuals. However, it is important to note that not everyone will experience headaches from consuming feta cheese, as triggers can vary from person to person.
To determine if feta cheese is a trigger for your headaches, it is recommended to keep a headache diary or food journal. Recording the time and date of headaches, as well as any potential triggers, can help identify patterns and confirm if tyramine-rich foods like feta cheese are the culprit.
If feta cheese is found to be a trigger, reducing or eliminating it from your diet may help prevent headaches. It is advised to consult a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for guidance on managing headaches and making dietary adjustments.
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Tyramine narrows blood vessels in the brain, triggering migraines
Feta cheese is one of many cheeses that contain tyramine, a substance that has been known to trigger migraine headaches. Tyramine is a chemical that causes nerve cells in the brain to release norepinephrine, a brain chemical. When there is a higher level of tyramine in the body, it can cause changes in the brain that lead to headaches.
Tyramine is vaso-active, meaning it can affect the diameter of blood vessels and cause either an increase or decrease in blood pressure. When tyramine is consumed, it causes vasoconstriction, or narrowing, of some of the blood vessels in the brain. This is followed by dilation, or widening, of the blood vessels, causing the characteristic throbbing pain of a migraine headache.
Aged cheeses such as feta, blue cheese, cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, and Asiago have higher levels of tyramine due to the aging process, which allows the cheese to develop a deeper flavour and harder texture. The longer the cheese has aged, the higher the tyramine content will be.
If you suspect that tyramine-rich foods may be triggering your migraines, it is recommended to keep a headache diary for several months to track patterns and identify potential triggers. This can help determine if tyramine or other factors, such as changes in sleep habits or stress levels, are the main culprits. Consulting a healthcare professional is also advised to receive guidance on managing migraine triggers and symptoms.
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Other foods high in tyramine include aged cheeses, cured meats, and pickles
Feta cheese is high in tyramine, a natural compound found in plants and animals. Tyramine has been linked to triggering migraine headaches and causing high blood pressure. It is produced by the breakdown of tyrosine, an amino acid, during the fermentation or decay of food.
Foods that are fermented, cured, pickled, aged, or spoiled tend to have high amounts of tyramine. Other foods high in tyramine include:
Aged Cheeses
The longer a cheese has been aged, the higher its tyramine content. Examples of aged cheeses that are high in tyramine include cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Camembert, Muenster, and blue cheeses. Pasteurized cheeses, such as American cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, and cream cheese, tend to have lower levels of tyramine.
Cured Meats
Cured, smoked, or processed meats often contain high levels of tyramine. Examples include salami, pepperoni, dry sausages, bacon, corned beef, and hot dogs. Fresh meats, poultry, and fish are lower in tyramine.
Pickles
Pickled foods, including pickled vegetables, meats, olives, and sauerkraut, are often high in tyramine. Fermented soy products, such as miso, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce, may also contain significant amounts of tyramine.
It is important to note that not everyone has the same triggers for headaches, and some people may not have any triggers at all. Keeping a headache diary can help identify if tyramine-rich foods are a trigger for your headaches. If you believe you are sensitive to tyramine, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes.
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Alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners can also cause headaches
While feta cheese is high in tyramine, a substance found naturally in some foods that can trigger migraine headaches, other factors like alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners can also be significant contributors to headaches.
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and leads to dehydration, a common trigger for headaches. Ethanol, the main ingredient in alcoholic beverages, can dilate blood vessels, causing an unhealthy imbalance of chemicals in the body. This can result in a “cocktail headache," which occurs shortly after drinking, or a delayed "hangover" headache, typically felt around 12 hours later.
Caffeine is another intriguing factor in headaches. Regular caffeine consumption can lead to withdrawal headaches when its intake is reduced or stopped. Conversely, caffeine can also alleviate headaches by narrowing the dilated blood vessels in the brain, which is one of the causes of headache pain.
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, and stevia, have been reported by some migraine patients to contribute to their headaches or migraine attacks. While the evidence is not conclusive, individual sensitivities vary, and eliminating these sweeteners may help reduce migraine frequency and severity for those who are sensitive.
It is important to note that headaches have complex causes, and factors like sleep, stress, diet, and environmental triggers can all play a role. Consulting a doctor and maintaining a headache diary can help identify specific triggers and inform appropriate preventive measures and treatments.
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Keeping a food diary can help identify if feta cheese causes your headaches
Feta cheese is a type of cheese that is high in tyramine, a substance that has been linked to headaches and migraines. While feta cheese may be a trigger for some people, it is not the only food that can cause headaches. Other common triggers include caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, cured meats, and pickled foods.
Keeping a food diary can be a useful tool for identifying whether feta cheese or any other food is triggering your headaches. A food diary is a daily record of everything you eat and drink, including snacks, beverages, and any extras like toppings or condiments. It is essential to be truthful in your food diary, as cheating to look good will not provide any benefits.
When keeping a food diary, it is best to update it throughout the day or jot down notes on paper or your smartphone immediately after eating, so you don't forget anything. In addition to logging the foods and drinks, it is helpful to include the time of day, the amount consumed, and any activities or feelings associated with the meal. You should also note any exposure to other common headache triggers, such as changes in altitude, temperature, strong smells, bright lights, loud noises, or unusual stress.
By keeping a food diary for several months, you can identify patterns and track potential triggers. If you suspect that feta cheese or any other food is triggering your headaches, consider consulting a doctor or a registered dietitian, who can review your food diary and provide guidance on eliminating potential triggers from your diet. Remember that everyone is different, and while some people may have specific food triggers, most people do not.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is among the cheeses that are high in tyramine, a substance that has been associated with triggering headaches and migraines.
Other foods that are high in tyramine include aged cheeses, cheddar, Stilton, Camembert, Swiss, Muenster, Parmesan, cured meats, processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate.
It is recommended to keep a headache diary for several months to help identify if tyramine or another trigger is the cause of your headaches.
