Question of the Month Page

ASK BONNIE for October 1999

Question:

I suffer from chronic migraines. Recently my doctor gave me a list of items to avoid. Two of the ones on the list have me confused: 1) any artificial sweetener and 2) any man-made beverage. Why would these items be considered migraine triggers?

Answer:

Almost 20% of all people tested with Nutrasweet (Aspartame) have identified it as a cause of headaches. Other artificial sweeteners may cause headaches to a lesser extent due to artificial ingredients. The best way to know if they do (I would not test Nutrasweet at all), is to wait until you have been free of a migraine for at least 2 months. Then test each (waiting 4 or more days between tests) to see if it triggers symptoms.

Man-made beverages may contain Nutrasweet corn sweeteners, yellow dye #5 or #6, red dye #40, phosphoric acid, caramel color, citric acid, and artificial flavors, all of which are main triggers for migraines also.

Have a happy, healthy day!

Past Ask Bonnie entries: June, July, Aug, Sept.

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