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Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 11/2016

01-11-2016 | Headache (RB Halker, Section Editor)

Headaches: a Review of the Role of Dietary Factors

Authors: Zoya Zaeem, Lily Zhou, Esma Dilli

Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports | Issue 11/2016

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Abstract

Dietary triggers are commonly reported by patients with a variety of headaches, particularly those with migraines. The presence of any specific dietary trigger in migraine patients varies from 10 to 64 % depending on study population and methodology. Some foods trigger headache within an hour while others develop within 12 h post ingestion. Alcohol (especially red wine and beer), chocolate, caffeine, dairy products such as aged cheese, food preservatives with nitrates and nitrites, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame have all been studied as migraine triggers in the past. This review focuses the evidence linking these compounds to headache and examines the prevalence of these triggers from prior population-based studies. Recent literature surrounding headache related to fasting and weight loss as well as elimination diets based on serum food antibody testing will also be summarized to help physicians recommend low-risk, non-pharmacological adjunctive therapies for patients with debilitating headaches.
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Metadata
Title
Headaches: a Review of the Role of Dietary Factors
Authors
Zoya Zaeem
Lily Zhou
Esma Dilli
Publication date
01-11-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports / Issue 11/2016
Print ISSN: 1528-4042
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6293
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-016-0702-1

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