Patrick Oconnell
Migraines are debilitating, and certain foods, drinks, and food additives can trigger them. While there is no universal trigger, a National Institute of Health (NIH) study reported that 12-60% of patients cited food as a trigger, with the top three being alcohol, cheese, and chocolate. Aged cheeses, such as Parmesan, are known to contain high levels of tyramine, a substance that forms as proteins in the cheese break down over time. Tyramine has been associated with triggering headaches and migraines. However, triggers are highly individualized, and keeping a food diary can help identify specific triggers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is parmesan cheese a trigger for migraine? | Yes, parmesan is an aged cheese that contains tyramine, a substance that has been associated with triggering headaches and migraines. |
| How does tyramine trigger migraines? | Tyramine causes nerve cells in the brain to release the chemical norepinephrine. Higher levels of tyramine in the body, along with unusual levels of brain chemicals, can cause changes in the brain that lead to headaches. |
| What are other foods that trigger migraines? | There is no universal migraine trigger, but common triggers include chocolate, caffeine, red wine, cured meats, processed meats, olives, pickles, nuts, and citrus fruits. |
| How can I identify my migraine triggers? | Keeping a food diary or migraine journal can help identify specific triggers. If you notice that a migraine regularly occurs within 24 hours of consuming a particular food, remove it from your diet for a month to see if your migraines decrease in frequency. |
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What You'll Learn
Parmesan is an aged cheese
Aged cheese is made by allowing the cheese to sit for a certain period after it's made so it can develop a deeper flavor and a different texture. Different cheeses are aged to different degrees, but as a general rule, aged cheeses are harder than fresh cheeses. Other examples of aged cheeses include cheddar, Swiss, gouda, and mozzarella.
Fresh cheeses, which don't sit as long as aged cheeses, don't typically trigger migraines. Examples of fresh cheeses that are usually safe for migraine sufferers include American cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, fresh milk, farmer's cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, soy cheese, and soy milk.
It's important to note that not all cheeses have been reported as migraine triggers, and individual triggers vary from person to person. Keeping a food diary or migraine journal can help identify specific triggers. This can involve recording the time and date a headache starts, as well as potential triggers encountered, such as certain foods, changes in temperature, strong smells, or unusual stress.
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Aged cheeses contain tyramine
Parmesan is an aged cheese, and aged cheeses contain tyramine—a substance that has been associated with triggering headaches and migraines. Tyramine forms when bacteria break down proteins in food. The longer a cheese has been aged, the higher its tyramine content will be. Variations in how a cheese is processed, fermented, and degraded also affect tyramine levels.
Aged cheeses, such as Brie, Swiss, cheddar, gouda, and parmesan, are more likely to cause a headache due to their tyramine content. Other foods that tend to have high levels of tyramine include processed meats, olives, pickles, and nuts.
Tyramine is an amino acid that affects the diameter of the blood vessels in the brain and can bring on throbbing headache pain. Experts are still trying to understand how tyramine triggers migraines, but one explanation is that it causes nerve cells in the brain to release the chemical norepinephrine. Having higher levels of tyramine in your system, along with an unusual level of brain chemicals, can cause changes in the brain that lead to headaches.
If you suspect tyramine-rich foods may be triggering your migraines, it is recommended that you keep a food diary for several months to help identify any patterns. If you notice that eating certain foods is regularly followed by a migraine within 24 hours, try removing that food from your diet for a month. If your migraines decrease in frequency, then it is likely that the removed food was a trigger.
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Tyramine is a migraine trigger
Parmesan is an aged cheese, and aged cheeses are known to contain tyramine. Tyramine is a substance that forms as different proteins inside cheese break down over time. The longer a cheese has been aged, the higher its tyramine content will be.
While tyramine is a known trigger, the relationship between tyramine-containing foods and migraines is still unclear. A 2023 review of non-randomized studies found a high-to-moderate occurrence of headaches after tyramine ingestion, but the relationship between the two was not fully established.
To identify whether tyramine is a trigger for your migraines, it is recommended that you keep a food diary or a migraine journal. Note the time and date when a migraine starts, and whether you have been exposed to other common triggers. This will help you and your doctor determine if tyramine is a trigger for you.
If you suspect tyramine is a trigger, you can try to cut down on tyramine-rich foods. Aged cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, feta, and parmesan, are higher in tyramine. Other tyramine-rich foods include processed meats, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, pineapple, fava beans, and fermented soy foods.
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Not all cheeses are migraine triggers
While some cheeses are known to trigger migraines, not all cheeses are created equal when it comes to causing these debilitating headaches. It's important to remember that migraine triggers vary from person to person, and there is no universal trigger. However, certain substances found in some cheeses, like tyramine, have been linked to migraines.
Tyramine is a chemical that forms when bacteria break down proteins in food. The longer a cheese has been aged, the higher its tyramine content. This is why aged cheeses like Brie, Swiss, cheddar, gouda, and parmesan are more likely to trigger headaches in those prone to migraines. However, not all aged cheeses are equal in their tyramine content, and some people may be able to tolerate small amounts of certain aged cheeses without issue.
Fresh cheeses, on the other hand, are typically safer for migraine sufferers. These include cheeses like American cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, yogurt, fresh milk, farmer's cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, soy cheese, and soy milk. Mozzarella is generally considered safe, but some sources suggest that harder mozzarella may be more likely to trigger migraines. Goats' cheese is also mentioned as a safer option by some migraine sufferers, as it has different hormone levels to cows' cheese.
To determine your specific triggers, it's recommended to keep a food diary or migraine journal. This can help you identify patterns and pinpoint which foods, if any, are triggering your migraines. It's also worth noting that triggers can vary over time, so a food that triggered a migraine in the past may not necessarily always be a trigger. While it's important to avoid known triggers, it's also crucial not to cut out too many foods unnecessarily, as this could lead to nutrient deficiencies.
In summary, while aged cheeses are more likely to trigger migraines due to their tyramine content, not all cheeses need to be avoided. Fresh cheeses are generally safer, and some individuals may even be able to tolerate small amounts of certain aged cheeses. Keeping a food diary can help migraine sufferers identify their specific triggers and navigate their dietary choices effectively.
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Keeping a food diary can help identify triggers
Keeping a food diary can be a versatile tool to help identify triggers for migraine attacks. While there are no universal triggers, certain foods, drinks, and food additives can trigger migraine headaches in some people. A National Institute of Health (NIH) study found that 12-60% of patients reported foods as a trigger, with the top three being alcohol, cheese, and chocolate.
A food diary can help identify any consistent patterns or changes in your diet before migraine attacks. It can also help determine if tyramine, a substance found naturally in some foods, is to blame for your migraines. Tyramine forms when bacteria break down proteins in food, and the longer the food has aged, the more tyramine it will contain. Aged cheeses, such as Brie, Swiss, cheddar, gouda, and parmesan, are more likely to cause headaches due to their high tyramine content.
To keep a food diary, record everything you eat each day, along with any relevant information about your symptoms, such as when you have headache days and migraine attacks. Note the time and date the headache starts and answer questions about potential triggers, such as exposure to strong smells, bright lights, or unusual stress. If you notice a specific food or drink consistently triggers a migraine within 24 hours, remove it from your diet for a month. If your migraines decrease during this time, then gradually add it back to your diet. If your migraines return, then that food is likely a trigger and should be avoided or consumed sparingly.
It is important to note that migraine triggers are highly individualized, and diet restriction should be approached with caution to avoid missing out on necessary nutrients. Keeping a food diary can help identify specific triggers without resorting to restrictive diets.
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Frequently asked questions
Parmesan is an aged cheese, and aged cheeses are more likely to cause migraines. This is due to the presence of tyramine, a substance that forms as different proteins inside cheese break down over time. The longer the cheese has aged, the higher the tyramine content.
Common migraine trigger foods include chocolate, caffeine, red wine, cured meats, processed meats, olives, pickles, and nuts.
Keeping a food diary or migraine journal can help you identify if what you ingest is provoking a migraine. If you notice that a migraine regularly follows within 24 hours of eating a specific food, remove that food from your diet for a month. If your migraines stop during that time, then it is likely a trigger.
Fresh cheeses such as American cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, fresh milk, farmer's cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, soy cheese, and soy milk are lower in tyramine and less likely to trigger migraines.
