Citrus fruits, including oranges, are generally considered beneficial for health. However, for individuals suffering from migraines, these fruits might be a hidden trigger. Research has shown that citrus fruits, particularly oranges, can induce migraines in some individuals.
The notion that oranges could potentially trigger migraines is surprising to many, given the health benefits typically associated with citrus fruits. However, for those sensitive to citrus, these fruits can be problematic. The citrus family, which includes oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, is a known allergen. Moreover, commercial orange juice is often squeezed with the rind on, which can bruise the rind and release synephrine, a vasoconstrictor.
There is a documented link between migraines and synephrine, as well as other vasoconstrictors. This suggests that synephrine could be a potential migraine trigger. Interestingly, many patients have reported that freshly squeezed orange juice made at home does not have the same adverse effect.
A 2004 study found that migraine patients had higher plasma levels of synephrine compared to controls. Synephrine is a stimulant that can increase blood pressure, another potential migraine trigger. The theory is that migraine sufferers with a citrus allergy might benefit from a low dosage of daily blood pressure medication.
Citrus fruits can also cause magnesium deficiency in some individuals. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to migraines without aura. In a study where thirty migraine patients were treated with magnesium versus ten treated with a placebo, the results were so significant that the likelihood of them being coincidental was less than a 1 in 1000 chance. The magnesium was administered as a magnesium citrate supplement, 600mg per day, orally.
Citrus fruits also contain histamine, another potential trigger for food-related allergies. A study at Texas Tech in El Paso, TX, found a correlation between high histamine levels and migraine attacks in susceptible individuals. Antihistamines could potentially be a viable treatment option.
The relationship between hypoglycemia and migraines can be exacerbated by the consumption of citrus juices like orange juice or lemonade in an attempt to raise blood sugar levels. In fact, the orange juice can actually increase migraine pain, leading to the misattribution of the pain to blood sugar levels. This underscores the importance of maintaining a food diary and testing for food allergies.
One woman reported that she had been taking migraine medication daily for years, washing it down with an 8 oz glass of orange juice each morning. When her sons were diagnosed with migraines, it became clear that the daily juice was perpetuating the cycle of migraines. It's worth noting that orange-flavored drinks like Tang and Sunny D also contain migraine-triggering substances similar to natural fruits, so they should be avoided if citrus is a problem.
Eliminating citrus from the diet is simpler than many other migraine trigger foods and is relatively easy to live without. For those with severe food intolerance migraines, living without orange juice, lemonade, and key lime pie may be a small price to pay.
Research by Grace-Alexander
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