Q: People with frequent migraine headaches often are advised to follow an elimination diet.  Is there any evidence regarding its effectiveness?

A: A comprehensive review of diet and headache in the journal Headache (October 2016) notes that this is a controversial topic.  This research is not as rigorous as one might wish.

Foods that are thought to trigger migraines include alcoholic beverages like red wine, chocolate, coffee, aged cheese, nuts, processed meats such as salami, citrus fruits and milk.  MSG (monosodium glutamate), caffeine and artificial sweeteners also have been implicated.

A small, randomized, controlled trial found that patients had fewer headaches and less pain during the elimination-diet phase (Journal of Headache Pain, Oct. 23, 2014).

Better research would be welcome.  People who suffer migraines may want to do their own experimentation to see if eliminating specific foods is helpful.

• article by Joe and Teresa Graedon
• copyright The Seattle Times