American researchers claim that nitrates, which are found in processed meats, may be the cause of migraines .
Nitrate is used to store processed meats, such as sausages and bacon . As in processed meats, which are said to be at risk of developing cancer, nitrates are found naturally in green leafy vegetables.
According to experts from the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, eating both processed meats and green vegetables can lead to migraine headaches.
Guided by the claim that some foods are related to migraines, including chocolate , wine and especially those containing nitrates , the researchers decided to study this issue in depth.
The study found that people who suffer from migraines are carriers of bacteria in the oral cavity and intestinal tract that process nitrates.
Once in the body, they can be converted to nitric oxide, which is good for blood circulation and also lowers blood pressure levels, but also carries the risk of triggering migraines .
Using public data from previous studies, the researchers analyzed a total of 172 oral samples of bacteria, as well as 1996 fecal samples.
Experts who published the results of the study in the mSystem medical journal added that they did not necessarily prove a direct link between the consumption of foods rich in nitrates and the occurrence of migraine .
The exact mechanism of migraine is not fully understood. Often in this disease there are functional changes in the vessels of the brain , in the activity of nerve cells and some biochemical processes.