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The significance of diet as a migraine trigger is controversial.[126] Nevertheless, individual patients often can identify these triggers. Common dietary triggers include the following:
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Alcohol – Particularly wine and beer
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Caffeine overuse or caffeine withdrawal
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Chocolate
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Aspartame – eg, NutraSweet and Equal
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Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – May be found in Asian food, canned soup, frozen or processed foods, and the seasoning product Accent
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Fruits – Citrus fruits, bananas, avocados, and dried fruit
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Nuts – Peanuts, soy nuts, and soy sauce
Tyramine, a biogenic amine that accumulates in food as it ages, may provoke migraine. Sources include the following:
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Dairy – Aged cheese
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Meat – Bacon, sausage, luncheon meat, deli meat, pepperoni, and smoked or cured meat
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Pickled foods
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Heavily yeasted breads – Eg, sourdough
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Vinegars – Especially wine vinegar
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Some types of beans
Nutraceuticals shown to be effective in randomized clinical trials include the aforementioned vitamin B2, CoQ-10, magnesium, and butterbur (Petadolex).[127]