Foods that may trigger epilepsy
Epilepsy is a kind of brain disorder or illness in which the body experiences unprovoked and recurring seizures. This can be a result of a brain injury, genetic disease, trauma, or even stroke. The doctor can diagnose the seizure as epilepsy if it happens two times unprovoked and also in a short duration of time. Here are some foods and drinks that may trigger or worsen epilepsy and should be avoided for managing the condition.
Citrus fruits
There is no conclusive study to suggest that there are any specific fruits and vegetables which can trigger epilepsy seizures; however, certain studies are conducted to understand how some foods react with any particular anti-epilepsy treatment methods. This includes citrus fruits like grapefruits and oranges that do not go well together with anti-epilepsy treatments and can trigger seizures. It is studied that these citrus fruits metabolize or help break down the epilepsy treatment products in a way that makes them less effective for the body. When this happens, the body is automatically more susceptible to frequent epilepsy attacks. One must speak to a doctor to understand if there are any specific food groups that they should avoid when undergoing epilepsy treatment.
Food additives
There are some preservatives and food colorings that may trigger seizures in some people; however, the evidence remains inconclusive and needs more in-depth study. Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is infamous in the food industry and it may also trigger seizures in some individuals. Moreover, there are some artificial sweeteners that should not be added to food to prevent any epilepsy symptoms from onsetting. It is always best to keep one’s food choices clean to avoid any health complications. Speaking to a doctor and a nutritionist can help understand how to make meal plans.
Gluten
Too much gluten may contribute to the risk of developing illnesses like seizures in some people.