Summer social gatherings, pool parties, backyard barbecues, holiday cookouts, bring people together over good food, cold drinks, and time outdoors. But for migraine people living with headaches, these same events can be a minefield of overlapping migraine headache triggers. Heat, alcohol, processed and grilled foods, dehydration, and prolonged sun exposure often combine at a single event, making summer gatherings one of the riskiest settings of the season.
Alcohol is one of the most well-documented migraine triggers, and red wine in particular has been linked to attacks due to its tyramine and histamine content. Beer and sugary cocktails carry their own risks, often compounding dehydration in hot weather. Meanwhile, classic barbecue foods, processed meats with nitrates, aged cheeses, and foods high in MSG, are common triggers for migraine-sensitive individuals, and grilling smoke itself can act as a sensory trigger for those sensitive to strong odors.
COMMON BBQ & POOL PARTY TRIGGERS
TRIGGERS TO WATCH FOR
● Red wine & sugary cocktails ● Processed/cured meats (nitrates) ● Aged cheeses
● Grilling smoke & strong odors ● Chlorine exposure at pools ● Prolonged heat & sun exposure
Pools introduce an additional trigger many people overlook: chlorine. The chemical’s strong smell can provoke migraine attacks in scent-sensitive individuals, and prolonged sun exposure while swimming compounds the risk further.
None of this means avoiding summer gatherings altogether. Eating a balanced meal before drinking alcohol, alternating alcoholic drinks with water, choosing grilled vegetables and fresh foods over processed options, wearing polarized sunglasses by the pool, and taking shaded breaks throughout the event can all meaningfully reduce risk. Bringing your own safe snacks and being willing to leave early if you feel a migraine headache building are both reasonable, healthy boundaries to set.
To book a consultation, call Nabeta Dentistry at (905) 639-6701 or request an appointment online at NabetaDentistry.com/appointment-request. Dr. Jared Nabeta, General Dentist, assesses jaw pain and TMD, including headache related to TMD. Treatment for migraine is offered only for migraine diagnosed by a physician, in coordination with the patient’s physician.