Pork is a delicious and versatile meat that’s a staple in many cuisines around the world. However, some people experience an unpleasant side effect after eating it – a pounding headache. If you’ve ever felt pain or pressure in your head after indulging in bacon, ham or pork chops, you’re not alone.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the science behind pork-induced headaches, discuss potential causes and triggers, and provide tips to help you prevent these unpleasant episodes in the future. Whether you experience mild discomfort or full-blown migraines, read on to uncover why pork affects you this way and what you can do about it.
What Causes Headaches After Eating Pork?
There are several potential culprits behind pork-provoked headaches. Two of the most common causes are:
Nitrates/Nitrites – These compounds are frequently added to processed pork products like bacon, deli meat and hotdogs to extend shelf life and enhance color For some people, nitrates/nitrites trigger headaches by dilating blood vessels and altering blood flow.
Allergies – Pork allergies, while rare do exist. Consuming pork may cause an allergic response that leads to release of histamines and headaches. People with cat allergies are more prone to experiencing pork-cat syndrome.
Other less common causes include
- Postprandial headaches triggered by fatty foods
- Sensitivity to tyramine, an amino acid in aged/fermented pork products
- Reaction to monosodium glutamate (MSG) added to processed pork
- High sodium content in cured meats
- Improperly handled or undercooked pork contaminated with bacteria
The specific cause often varies between individuals. Keeping a food diary can help identify your unique triggers. Let’s explore some of these potential causes in more detail.
The Role of Nitrates and Nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites are frequently used in processed meats like bacon, deli meat, sausages and hot dogs. They help preserve the products and maintain that desirable pink color.
However, when consumed, these compounds can cause headaches in some individuals by dilating blood vessels. Here’s a closer look at how they work:
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In your body, nitrates are converted into nitrites. Nitrites are then converted into nitric oxide.
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Nitric oxide is a molecule that makes blood vessels expand, increasing blood flow.
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In large amounts, nitric oxide causes blood vessels to overly dilate, altering normal blood flow to the brain. This disruption in blood flow and pressure can trigger vascular headaches in sensitive people.
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Those with more nitrate/nitrite converting bacteria in their mouths may be more prone to this phenomenon.
To avoid headaches, some people look for nitrate/nitrite-free pork products. While these compounds are linked to cancer risk, more research is needed to understand their full health impacts. Consuming them in moderation seems to be the best approach for most people.
Allergic Reactions and Pork Headache Triggers
Though not common, pork allergies do occur and headaches can sometimes result after exposure to these allergens:
Alpha-gal – This is a sugar molecule found in mammalian meats like pork. The body views it as foreign and releases histamine, triggering headache, hives, etc. Tick bites can cause new alpha-gal allergies.
Serum albumin – This pork protein provokes headache, itching, hives in those allergic to it.
Cat allergens – Pork contains similar allergens to cats. People with cat allergies may experience “pork-cat syndrome.”
Tyramine – This amino acid in aged, fermented pork can also trigger headaches in some people prone to tyramine sensitivity.
MSG – While not conclusively proven to trigger headaches, MSG is added to many pork products and is a suspect for some.
High fat – Fatty foods may release hormones that provoke headaches in certain individuals.
Tracking your diet and symptoms helps reveal if pork or its components like nitrates, tyramine or fat may be headache instigators for you personally.
Tips to Prevent Headaches After Eating Pork
If you want to keep enjoying the tasty versatility of pork without the unpleasant headache aftermath, here are some tips to help avoid triggers:
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Choose fresh, unprocessed cuts like pork chops or roasts instead of cured or aged products. This evades added nitrates/nitrites.
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Read labels carefully and look for nitrate/nitrite-free options if consuming processed pork.
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Cook pork properly to prevent illness from undercooking. Use a meat thermometer to confirm safe internal temperatures.
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Incorporate alternative proteins like poultry, fish or plant-based options if pork seems to consistently cause problems.
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Limit aged, fermented products like salami or ham which contain tyramine.
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Avoid added MSG and reduce intake of very fatty pork products if these are headache triggers for you.
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Use a food/symptom diary to identify connections between specific foods and your headaches.
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See an allergist if you suspect you may have a pork allergy. Blood testing can provide answers.
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Consult a healthcare professional or neurologist for help identifying and managing dietary headache triggers.
While pork headaches can really ruin your day, having a game plan helps lessen the chances of these unpleasant episodes occurring. Pay attention to your own triggers and avoid suspect products. With some adjustments to your diet and cooking methods, you can keep enjoying pulled pork, bacon and other pork delicacies headache-free.
What is pork sensitivity?
If your stomach doesn’t feel good after eating a certain food, like pork in this case, you may have a food intolerance or sensitivity. It is rare for people to be allergic to or sensitive to meat, like chicken, beef, or lamb, but it is possible. Meat proteins can trigger IgG sensitivities which can be picked up through a food sensitivity test.
Because the symptoms of a pork allergy and a pork sensitivity can be similar, it can be hard to tell which one is causing the reaction. This is why testing is so important for understanding your gut.
It’s also worth being aware of a rare, but very real, condition called pork-cat syndrome. This is where someone with a cat allergy also experiences allergy symptoms when eating pork. In those cases, research indicates that the body’s IgE antibodies (part of the immune response to an allergic reaction) cross-react to both cat albumin and pork albumin. As with all food allergies, this can cause a serious, and even life-threatening, reaction. You should seek immediate medical advice if you suspect you have a severe allergy.
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Even though the symptoms of a pork sensitivity may not be as bad or life-threatening as those of a pork allergy, they can still be very painful because they affect your digestive system and can lead to other symptoms as well.
Pork sensitivity may present itself in the following ways:
Some of the above symptoms can also happen if pork isn’t cooked right, which is called food poisoning and not a food sensitivity. It’s very important to ensure you’re eating well-cooked pork meat for this reason. Food intolerance or sensitivity symptoms, on the other hand, will happen more than once. To keep track of when your body reacts badly to certain foods and to see if a food sensitivity test is needed to understand your digestive problems, it’s a good idea to keep a food diary.
How long will a pork sensitivity last?
Pork sensitivities are not necessarily lifelong. Through careful elimination diets, you may be able to reintroduce pork into your regular diet with time. An allergy, on the other hand, can’t be cured and can even cause reactions that are life-threatening in the worst cases. If you have an allergy, you should always talk to a doctor to make sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs.
Migraine trigger foods
Do processed meats cause headaches?
“There are no good studies that say processed meats will cause you to get a headache,” says Rosen. But the nitrates used as preservatives in hot dogs, bacon, and deli meats may dilate blood vessels and trigger headaches in some people, according to the National Headache Foundation.
Can deli meat cause headaches?
In addition to sausages, processed meats include hot dogs, deli meats and bacon. Bacon and other cured meats, such as ham, contain substances called nitrates, which may also contribute to headaches when consumed in excess. Meat dishes containing cheese, which is another common headache trigger, should also be avoided.
Why do I have a headache after a meal?
Let’s explore two potential culprits that could be impacting your post-meal comfort. If you only experience a headache during certain meals, you might have a or allergy. But if you’ve never experienced traditional allergic reaction symptoms (like an itchy rash or trouble breathing), it might be difficult to recognize a potential food allergy.
What foods trigger a headache?
Additional common headache triggers include chocolate, red wine, dairy products, nuts, peanut butter, caffeine and pickled and fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, pickles and canned artichokes. If you suspect that particular foods trigger your symptoms, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eliminating them from your diet.