Can Chocolates cause migraine?

I've heard that this is true, probably because of the caffeine content of chocolate. I, however, tend to eat chocolate whenever I have a headache. Well, actually, I tend to eat chocolate every day...migraine or no migraine. It makes everything better!

For me it causes migraines. Sometime I can have a certain amount before it triggers and others I won't have to take more than a bite to get sick. The longer I go without chocolate the longer it takes the migraine to hit. Like most, I ate a ton of chocolate as a kid and never had a problem. It was until I was in my mid 20s that it began to affect me. It got worse over the years. I do find that the better the quality of the chocolate the less likely a migraine is.

Eating chocolate certainly can cause migraines in many (not all) migraine sufferers. The chemical tyramine which is found in chocolate is to blame.

Hi tinsky, Chocolates is a trigger for some migraneurs. The fact is that chocolate do contain PEA (phenylethylamine) which may cause the blood vessel to expand and contract. However, it is also a good mood enhancer,stress reliever and memory enhancer. Therefore, chocolate may have more good than bad for some people. The conclusion is chocolate and headache issue are still not clear enough.

Chocolates contain caffeine and phenyethylamine. These substances constrict blood vessels that cause this pain - resulting in migraine.

Well medically they say dark chocolates are good anti oxidant and good for health. I feel black chocolates sometimes taste bitter due to more cocoa..i like milk chocolates.

Yes I think too much chocolate can cause a migraine. Since there is caffeine in chocolate than that can bring on a headache. If you are someone who is sensitive to caffeine then you might want to consider eating chocolate sparingly.

Yes,chocolates causes migraine.I have many friends who have stopped eating chocolates due to this problem.Especially when they eat diary milk because this is purely made of chocolate.

Chocolate is a trigger for some migraineurs, and not for others Chocolate and headache are often linked, and it's true that chocolate is a trigger for some people. But read on! Many people who think they should avoid chocolate may not have to. Others will simply have to avoid it no matter what. But for some, the chocolate and headache link may be that chocolate gets rid of the headache once it starts. The culprit may be phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA is the chemical in chocolate that may cause the blood vessels to expand and contract. However, it's also a natural mood enhancer, stress reliever and memory enhancer. So once again, it may have more good than bad for some people. The chocolate and headache connection is still unclear. A study at the University of Pittsburgh suggested that the role of chocolate as a migraine trigger may be over emphasized. Chocolate is a good source of folic acid, copper, and magnesium. Magnesium is beneficial for migraineurs. It is also rich in antioxidant polyphenols, including flavonoids. Chocolate had more "antioxidant capacity" than fruits and vegetables in a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There is some evidence that some parts of cocoa may lower cholesterol, but other parts raise it. So chocolate isn't quite as good as olive oil yet. One of the chemicals that may be negative are oxalates. They may cause kidney stones, but you'd have to eat large quantities. Chocolate may also cause heartburn in some people. A possible culprit when it comes to migraine may be the tannins in chocolate. Generally, when it comes to negatives there are two things to remember. First, don't eat huge quantities. Moderation is very wise when it comes to many things, diet included. Second, many foods can cause problems in some people. Just because chocolate gives your friend a migraine doesn't mean it will do you any harm. some sources (such as the Food Composition and Nutrition Tables (Medpharm/CRC Press, 2000) list no caffeine at all in chocolate, indicating that the amounts may be negligible. Some sources list caffeine only in chocolate, but they may be lumping the two alkaloids together.Chocolate does cause headaches in some people, but if you're avoiding it just because of the caffeine, you may want to give it another try. Ok, so if eaten in moderation, chocolate may have some health benefits. Maybe the chocolate and headache link is more positive than we thought. If you're ready to give it a try, here are some tips to get the most out of it: A. Eat it in moderation as a part of a healthy diet. B. Eat good quality, dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa (see below) C. Avoid milk chocolate, or eating dark chocolate with milk. This will maximize the amount of antioxidants that get to your blood stream, according to a study at the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research. source: http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/chocolate-and-headache.html

Absolutely. For some people chocolae does this. My step-brother gets terrible migranes for eating chocolate, so much so that he has stopped eating it.

Really? Where have you read about that? I love chocolates! I am a chocolate monster and I have passed it on my child. I never recall having migraine after eating chocolates. Have you?

There are two ingredients in chocolate that can trigger migraine which are the caffeine and phenylethylamine. These substances can constrict blood vessels, and constriction causes head pain. Some people get a headache if they eat chocolate but not when they drink caffeinated beverages. That is because some people may be sensitive only to phenylethylamine, while others are sensitive only to caffeine. Some people may be sensitive to both.

huh I dont know could it be all the caffene too? Thats bad!

Every thing overdose is bad, i think, especially for the food you eat. So may be the amount of chocolate is much for you, but for others not. I don't actually, but dreaking dark coffee is. So I think it is different for each person.

well I try to eat chocolate when i have a migraine coming on because it has caffeine. It seems to help me.

I have never known Chocolate to cause a migraine. In fact Chocolate I usually eat if I do have a headache along with a cup of tea or coffee it helps to get rid of my headaches.

that's what other people tell me too. i have migraine so my parents forbid me to eat chocolates. i hope somebody can explain how chocolates cause migraine, if that's really true.

I don't think so but I haven't heard about any research done about chocolates and migraine or their relation. i guess you can eat as much as you want.