Question 1

What foods are most likely to trigger migraines?

Accepted Answer

The top food migraine triggers (in order of evidence): 1) Alcohol (especially red wine) — 35% of sufferers; 2) Aged cheeses (tyramine) — 30%; 3) Skipping meals (blood sugar drops) — 50%; 4) Processed meats with nitrates — 20%; 5) Caffeine withdrawal — 50% of regular drinkers; 6) MSG — 10–15%; 7) Aspartame (diet drinks) — 18%.

Question 2

How do I identify my personal migraine food triggers?

Accepted Answer

Keep a migraine diary for 8–12 weeks: record every food eaten, time of meals, sleep, stress, menstrual cycle, weather, and migraine onset. The 'migraine threshold' model means multiple small triggers can combine to cross your threshold. Eliminate the top 5 suspected triggers for 4 weeks, then reintroduce one at a time.

Question 3

Is chocolate a migraine trigger?

Accepted Answer

This is controversial. About 22% of migraine sufferers report chocolate as a trigger. However, research suggests chocolate cravings may actually be a migraine prodrome symptom (pre-migraine craving) rather than the cause. The brain changes that precede migraines can cause chocolate cravings 12–24 hours before the headache.

Question 4

Why does red wine cause migraines but not white wine?

Accepted Answer

Red wine contains much higher levels of tyramine, histamine, tannins, and sulfites compared to white wine. Histamine in red wine causes neurogenic inflammation. Tannins trigger serotonin release then drop. Tyramine causes blood vessel changes. White wine still triggers migraines in some people due to sulfites, but much less commonly.

Question 5

Can a migraine elimination diet actually work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Studies show 50–80% of migraine patients see significant improvement from trigger elimination. The University of Birmingham migraine elimination study found patients who eliminated their top 5 triggers reduced migraine frequency by 57% in 6 weeks. The key is identifying YOUR specific triggers — everyone is different.

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