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Research Seeks Link Between Diet and Headaches Chocolate Not a Cause of Headaches Last year, the first phase of her research at the University of Pittsburgh showed no link between chocolate and headaches. The results of that double-blind study, published in the neurology journal, Cephalalgia, found no correlation between chocolate consumption and the onset of migraine, tension-type or other headaches. In the study, Dr. Marcus compared the effect of chocolate and the chocolate substitute carob in 63 women known to suffer from chronic headaches. With chocolate off the list of foods suspected of causing headaches, Dr. Marcus is looking at a number of other foods that have been linked to migraines. Her new study will also look at such substances as caffeine and food additives. Among the foods that will come under scrutiny are cheese, processed meats, citrus fruits, peanuts, tomato products, and bakery products made with fresh yeast. "In our earlier research, we found no association between chocolate and headaches," Dr., Marcus explained. "Now, we're very curious to see what role other common foods may actually play in the onset of severe or migraine-type headaches." Dr. Marcus is continuing her research with women, she said, because they are three times more likely than men to get chronic headaches. As in her earlier research on chocolate, Dr. Marcus is studying a group of female headache sufferers who will record headache activity while following diets that restrict certain foods. Chronic headaches are thought to be caused by chemical releases in the nervous system, often triggered by lifestyle changes such as stress or disrupted sleep patterns, menstruation or hunger. When it comes to diet, experts suspect that "vasoactive" amines in foods may trigger some headaches. These amines include tyramine, histamine and beta-phenylethylamine. Foods that contain these amines include hard cheeses such as cheddar, peanuts, meat and alcohol. Although chocolate also contains amines, it did not trigger headaches in the University of Pittsburgh research. Dr. Marcus expects to uncover more answers to the diet-headache puzzle in the months ahead. Meanwhile, women can continue to enjoy chocolate, America's favorite flavor, without fear that it causes headaches. |
