Cheese and bananas contain substances that can trigger migraines. (Image: Getty)
A warning has been issued to anyone who eats bananas or cheese, as these foods can trigger .
feel like a very bad headache, with a throbbing pain on one side of the head, and can last from two hours to three days.
Some people may only experience a migraine once a year, while others can get one several times a week, with symptoms sometimes starting up to two days before the head pain starts.
, craving certain foods or feeling thirsty, mood swings, a stiff neck and peeing more are all common symptoms that can appear just before a migraine.
It’s also possible to experience sight problems, like zigzag lines or flashing lights, feeling dizzy or numbness or tingling that feels like pins and needles.
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The cause of migraines isn’t known but some people find certain triggers can set them off, and these will vary from person to person.
According to GP Dr Neel Patel from , if you eat a lot of bananas or cheese, these foods could trigger your migraines without you realising it.
Bananas contain substances called amines, which, when eaten in large quantities, can cause symptoms of a migraine. Dr Patel says: “They’re fine to eat in moderation, but if you find they are a trigger for you, cut down your intake.”
Additionally, soft cheeses such as camembert and brie can also act as migraine triggers as they contain a chemical compound called tyramine.
Dr Patel explains: “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.”
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LloydsPharmacy adds: “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, but if you can understand your triggers 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.”