Cured meats

The color and flavor of cured meats including deli meats, ham, hot dogs, and sausages are preserved by a substance called nitrate. These foods have the ability to cause the blood to release nitric oxide, which is thought to dilate blood vessels in the brain. There is some proof that nitric oxide might trigger or worsen migraines.

According to research by the American Gut Project, people who experience migraines frequently have more of the bacteria in their mouths that turn the chemical nitrate, which is present in processed meats, into nitrite. Unfortunately, this is what can lead to health issues, especially migraines. This is significant because processed meat—which is just meat that has been changed from its original, fresh state—contains alarmingly high levels of nitrate. In order to keep the red color of the meat, stop the growth of bacteria, and prolong the meat's shelf life because, without it, the meat would brown extremely quickly.