Shoppers purchasing certain types of cheese have been alerted to a potential health risk, as these foods may trigger migraines. Migraines are characterised by intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head and can last from two hours to several days. While some individuals experience migraines once a year or not at all, others suffer from them multiple times weekly, with symptoms sometimes beginning up to two days before the headache starts.
Common Migraine Symptoms
Pre-migraine symptoms can include fatigue, cravings for specific foods, increased thirst, mood swings, a stiff neck, and frequent urination. Some people also experience visual disturbances such as zigzag lines or flashing lights, along with dizziness, numbness, or tingling sensations like pins and needles.
The Role of Tyramine in Cheese
According to health experts, certain cheeses contain naturally occurring tyramine, an amino acid that can trigger headaches. Aged and soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, blue cheese, parmesan, stilton, gruyere, and feta are high in tyramine. In contrast, fresh and unaged cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, and mild cheddar contain very little tyramine and are generally safe to consume.
The National Headache Institute explains: "Aged cheeses such as cheddar, blue cheese, and parmesan contain tyramine, a natural compound that forms as proteins break down over time. Tyramine affects blood flow and can trigger migraines in sensitive individuals. Opt for fresh varieties like mozzarella or cream cheese instead to support headache prevention."
Expert Advice on Managing Intake
Dr. Patel advised: "They're fine to eat in moderation, but if you find they are a trigger for you, cut down your intake. Tyramine is found in aged and fermented foods and can trigger migraine attacks in people who are sensitive to it. However, not everyone is affected by tyramine; it mainly impacts those who are amine-sensitive or have trouble breaking down amines. If you think this could be a trigger for you, it's a good idea to keep a food diary to cross-reference your food intake with any symptoms."
Treatment and Prevention
While migraines cannot be cured, various measures can help alleviate symptoms and prevent attacks. The NHS recommends treatments such as beta blockers, antidepressants, epilepsy medications, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy, and vitamin B2. A GP may also suggest lifestyle changes, including avoiding trigger foods, eating at regular intervals, and reducing caffeine consumption.
LloydsPharmacy advises: "There are common triggers that can bring one on. These will vary from person to person, but can include physical and emotional stress, tiredness, missing a meal, drinking caffeine or alcohol, and foods containing tyramine (cured meats, some cheeses and yeast extracts). Also, bright lights, loud noises and changes in climate. Keeping a diary of what you eat, drink and do can help to identify migraine triggers. It could be that a particular smell or food is bringing on the attacks. If you don't keep a diary, try to recall anything that changed or was new in the 24 hours before the attack. It may take some time to identify your triggers, but if you can understand them and avoid them, you may find that the frequency of your migraines decreases. There are treatments available to prevent migraine, but these will need to be prescribed by your GP. An effective way to prevent migraines is to identify your triggers and avoid those."
