Can too much chocolate give you a headache

A. Dieticians have long believed there is a clear link between nutrition and headaches. Foods which are rich in a substance called tyramine are linked to headaches. Chocolate not only contains tyramine, but also another compound called phenylethylamine which is known to cause headaches in some people. Eating too much chocolate is known to cause side-effects in some people.

Q. Which other foods can cause headaches, or worse migraines

A. Mature cheeses, especially last thing at night or combined with port or strong red wine, peanuts, oily fish such as herring, offal, and cured sausage meats, are the usual culprits. Avoiding alcohol if you are a regular sufferer and cutting back on foods which contain the flavour-enhancing monosodium glutamate, often found in Chinese takeaway food, can also help. Drinks containing caffeine - tea, coffee, Coke, hot chocolate - can trigger headaces, especially if served piping hot or ice cold.

Q. What can you do to avoid headaches

A. Many headaches are caused through dehydration. People should aim to drink at least eight glasses of water during the day. Try adding a slice of lemon to a large mug of warm water and sipping it slowly during the day. Take water with meals and grab a bottle of water instead of coke or juice at lunchtime. Experts also say combining water with a high fibre diet can help. By eating more wholemeal bread, fresh fruit and vegetables and dishes like baked potato can help your body absorb water and keep your organs healthy. Alcohol severely dehydrates the body and quite often hangovers are caused by dehydration. By drinking a glass of water last thing at night or drinking water in between glasses of wine or mixing water with wine, you can reduce the risk of a headace the morning after.

Q. Why does cutting out caffeine lead to headaches

A. The weaning off process can give you caffeine-withdrawal symptoms. Your body has been used to a certain amount of caffeine, but the withdrawal headaches are usually mild and tend to last only 24 or 48 hours. In the long run, the risk of headaches will be substantialy reduced.

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By Katharine MacColl