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Migraines triggered by food &/or ingredients

I've had a sensitivity to an ingredient that's common to processed foods named Carrageenan. It's a fancy ingredient that's put in our foods not for flavor but only to create added texture like smoothness. Unfortunately it's not necessary and the cons greatly outweigh the pros. Second in line are "Gums" that serve the same purpose but don't create as much havoc for me, yet if i ingest enough will add up to cause a migraine. I develop nausea and tinnitus also, usually hours later, lasting for 24 to 48 hours or longer. I don't wish this on my worst enemy but then again if enough people complained about them perhaps they would find a safer substitute or remove these unneeded texturizures from the market altogether. Has anyone else found triggers among food additives? I'm still trying to pinpoint perhaps more ingredients added to processed foods, as i rarely have negative reactions to natural, whole foods, such as those served with little preparation, like applesauce made from cooking apples with a little sugar and cinnamon, altho I've recently became suspicious of strawberries and purple grapes in my diet). Are there any others who have found any connections or patterns with obscure ingredients and their migraines?


  1. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. From a quick Google search carrageenan is made from seaweed which may contain tyramine, which is a known migraine trigger for some of us. You're right - there are MANY hidden additives in food that may trigger a nasty migraine attack. Having said that, not all of us with migraine have food triggers. Let me share this list containing hidden sources of MSG, another strong trigger for many; https://migraine.com/blog/locate-hidden-msg-migraine-triggers. Notice seaweed is on this list!!

    Here is an interesting article about triggers that may actually be cravings before an attack; https://migraine.com/migraine-symptoms/food-cravings. Please let me know what you think!
    Wishing you a low pain day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team

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