Could Food Additives Cause My Migraines?
By Terry Mason
Food additives are used to enhance the flavor
or to change the color of foods. Additives that seem to
trigger migraine headaches include monosodium glutamate
(MSG), sodium nitrite, yellow dye #5, and aspartame.
MSG- MSG is a flavor-enhancing
additive that may stimulate brain cells and cause
electrical discharges. Increases in electrical discharges
have been linked to headaches. MSG is often used in
Asian cooking and is usually contained in prepackaged and
processed foods, such as stocks, broths, flavorings,
seasonings, sauces, and gravies. It may also appear on the
label as autolysed yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable
protein, and natural flavoring.
Sodium Nitrite- Sodium nitrite
is
a preservative that can dilate blood vessels in your head,
causing pain. It acts as a preservative, preventing
botulism, a type of food poisoning. It is also used to make
meat pinker as well as add flavor. Sodium nitrite is
usually
found in hot dogs, canned or packaged meats, cold cuts,
sausages, and some cheeses.
Yellow Dye #5- Yellow dye #5,
also called
tartrazine dye, gives foods a yellow color. This yellow
color is sometimes used to make other colors such as
orange, white, turquoise, green, and maroon. Many colored
foods contain yellow dye #5. Drugs can also be colored with
yellow dye #5. It is not known why yellow dye #5 triggers
headaches in some people.
Aspartame- Aspartame is a
sweetener with very few calories. Some people are sensitive
to it. The exact way it causes headaches, however, isn't
known. You can find aspartame in many reduced-calorie or
sugar-free foods, sodas, gum, or medications. Check labels
if you are sensitive to aspartame.
