Avocado, Good or Bad for Migraines?

Avocado, Good or Bad for Migraines? It is often touted as a healthy food with multiple benefits. Some like HYH book suggest it is a migraine trigger based on its tyramine content, specially when ripe. Others suggest that can help to reduce the risk of migraines.

Here is a summary of both the potential benefits and drawbacks of using avocado for migraines:

Avocado Benefits

• Rich in nutrients: rich source of healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for overall health and well-being.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the body, which can be particularly beneficial for those with migraines.
• Promoting healthy blood flow: The healthy fats in avocado may help to improve blood flow, which can reduce the risk of migraines triggered by changes in blood pressure and flow.

Avocado Drawbacks

• Yes, ripe avocados contain tyramine, which is a naturally occurring amino acid. Tyramine is known to cause the release of certain neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, which can lead to constriction of blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure. These effects can potentially trigger migraines in some people, who are sensitive to changes in blood flow and pressure. However, the amount of tyramine in avocados is relatively low and is unlikely to cause migraines in most people. Additionally, ripe avocados also contain other compounds that may have a protective effect against migraines, such as anti-inflammatory compounds and healthy fats.
• High in fat: While the fats in avocado are considered to be healthy, they are also high in calories. It can contribute to weight gain if consumed in large amounts.
• Allergenic: Some people may be allergic to avocados. Therefore they may experience symptoms such as itching, hives, or swelling after consuming them.
• Interactions with medications: Avocados contain a substance called persin. This may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and blood pressure drugs.

In conclusion, avocado has some potential benefits for migraines. My personal take is that you need to try, if eliminating avocado reduces your symptoms your answer is clear. The HYH diet also talks about the reintroduction of foods to test your tolerance. You can consider testing to find out what works for you. As always I recommend to keep a log so you don’t forget what, when and conditions of each trial.