High Fructose Corn Syrup Triggers Migraine

Written and verified by Holly Hazen

Who knew that high fructose corn syrup triggers migraine? I did! Here are the top offenders that it hides in and some healthier alternatives for you. MUCH healthier.

As a person with migraines, you must be more aware, hyper-vigilant even to learn what triggers your debilitating attacks.

Little did I know that corn syrup was hidden in so many things and that it can be quite damaging to your overall good health.

And your waistline!

Any type of sugar can be a migraine trigger for me, so I was suspect of corn syrup as well. My body does not work well with sugars.

Here is what I have uncovered so far... keep reading right until the end to get your detailed list of foods high fructose corn syrup is in.

First – what is it exactly? High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is used as a food preservative and processed sweetener made from cornstarch. Unlike other sugar additives, it prolongs the expiration date of most foods for a significantly lower price than other options, whilst maintaining a great taste.

Some people say the sweeter the food, the tastier it is. When I studied nutrition and later Chinese medicine, both fields believe you can eat more when things are sweet, just to please the taste buds. So this means you are more likely to overeat it.

This could be one reason why the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition links foods containing high fructose corn syrup to our ever-increasing problem with obesity.

High fructose corn syrup triggers migraine attacks and so can other forms of sugars.

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Cane Sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup Triggers Migraine

Cane Sugar is more commonly used here in Australia over High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). From what I read they are the same thing. Cane sugar is just more readily available here.

They both contain fructose and glucose. Cane sugar is 50 per cent glucose and 50 per cent fructose. High fructose corn syrup is closer to 55 per cent fructose and 45 per cent glucose.

Your best defense is to learn to read food labels. Other names of fructose to watch for are D-Fructose (Fru) or fruit sugar, corn syrup, maize syrup, D-fructofuranose, and D-Arabino-hexulose also called fruit sugar or levulose. These names all mean that the product contains fructose. Notice how they all end in "ose."

An article in The Daily Mail.co.uk published 8 June 2013 says, "Sweet temptation: New research has found that high-fructose corn syrup has similar effects on the brain as addictive drugs like cocaine."

It's my understanding that most sugars and sweeteners have this effect on the brain. No wonder so many of us feel addicted to it!

The Top Offenders Are

Apart from some of the obvious ones, the top offenders are:

1.  Soft drinks and soda’s

2.  Sauces and salad dressing (Barbecue sauce, steak sauce, and many packaged salad dressings)

3.  Commercially baked breads

4.  Baked beans and pickles – prepared foods

5.  Fruits and vegetables packed in liquid

6.  Breakfast cereals and bars

7.  Processed foods and snacks. Breaded meats and processed potato food snacks are culprits too, not just candies and sweets.

Some Healthier Alternatives

If you need to sweeten your food, I suggest these as healthier alternatives to corn syrup. But remember, any one of these could be a trigger for you.

1. Stevia

2. Rice Syrup

3. Coconut Palm Sugar

4. Raw Honey

5. Molasses

6. Artichoke Syrup

7. Lucuma Powder (comes from the exotic Peruvian fruit)

8. 100% Maple Syrup

This is a great link >> How to Spot Sugar on Food Labels at Hungry for Change

Ways To Cope with Surprise Triggers

The best way I know to cope with my own migraine headache triggers is to take action as soon as possible.

• Number one, take prescribed abortive medications (triptan and ibuprofen in my case).

• Number two, lay down in a dark room with an ice pack and hot water bottle.

• Number three, listen to some nice relaxing music or guided meditations to help lower anxiety levels and drift off to sleep.
  
  

I am also a strong advocate of being proactive by using vitamin supplements to keep your body in optimum health and help avoid unforeseen triggers. Watch for all additional ingredients... I trust this one with NO hidden corn syrup!

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My #1 Choice - Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers - combines 7 types of magnesium in a humic/fulvic monoatomic blend to optimize absorption. This is by far the best product I have found so far in terms of results.

What Are Your Triggers?

Please click here on migraine triggers to divulge your own unique triggers. You just never know who you will help by sharing this information.

For example, now you know that high fructose corn syrup triggers migraine for someone else, will you start paying attention to it?

And when you eat it? And if you get a migraine?

Until next time, be well.

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