Can Eating Beans Trigger Migraine Headaches?

Some beans can trigger migraines in susceptible people - including fava, navy and garbanzo beans - which all contain tyramine, a known trigger for migraines. Watch nutritionist Janet Brill, PhD/RD, discuss this connection between beans and migraines.

Transcript

00:00

Some beans-- not all of them-- can actually trigger migraines in susceptible people. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:23

There are three types in particular-- fava, navy, and garbanzo-- that can trigger these migraines.

00:30

And that's because they contain a high concentration of a substance called tyramine. Tyramine actually affects the level of brain neurotransmitter

00:41

signaling molecules. And scientists think that changing these levels of the neurotransmitters can trigger migraines.

00:48

So if you're prone to migraines, obviously you want to be careful with your consumption of these three types of beans in particular.

00:55

Or if you're getting unexplained headaches, then you know what? It could be the beans. So check into it.