Have you been experiencing migraine headaches, or do you know someone who has been struggling with migraine pain? Well, if yes, you might know that migraine is more than an average headache. Migraines can come fast and lead to sensitivity of smell, light, or sound. Research suggests that even foods can lead to a migraine flare-up.

To help you, here are five migraine food triggers you should know about. 

1. Artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners have a synthetic nature. They can cause some issues to the digestive tract, and these issues can aggravate the symptoms. These artificial sweeteners are the number one migraine food triggers and should be avoided as much as possible. The sweetness of these sweeteners implies that the body is releasing insulin as it thinks there will be a high degree of sugar coming in. Sadly, when the sugar does not come in, the body releases sugar into the blood to deal with the insulin and maintain high blood sugar levels. Therefore, it can lead to a loop of spikes and drops in blood sugar levels. 

2. Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most prevalent migraine triggers. Following a study, it was found that thirty-five percent of people with migraines stated that it was alcohol that leads to a migraine attack. In alcohol, too, it was red wine in particular, which resulted in a migraine attack in approximately seventy-seven percent of people. Generally speaking, alcohol can lead to dehydration, which is the primary cause of headaches. 

3. Excessive coffee
Coffee can be your favorite beverage, but research suggests that excessive coffee consumption can be a migraine trigger. There are enough studies that suggest that cutting back on coffee can help lower your symptoms. 

However, if you think you can’t start your day without coffee, then bear in mind, the problem is not coffee but excessive coffee. Of course, coffee can be an absolute lifesaver at times and should be consumed in moderation. So, you must curtail your coffee consumption to only two cups a day. 

4. Aged meats and cheese
The nitrates or nitrites in salami or aged meats are also a leading cause of migraines. Moreover, these foods have a high salt content that can lead to dehydration, which is a common migraine trigger.

5. Spicy foods
Chili peppers are also migraine triggers that you should avoid or have in moderation. This is because they react to some kinds of pain receptors known as the TRP receptors in the brain, which reduce the threshold for migraine development. 

Avoid these migraine trigger foods to reduce the number of migraine attacks. If migraine still persists, consult your doctor at the earliest. Moreover, consult your dietician to know more foods that can help avoid or manage migraine symptoms.