The best foods for headaches can actually prevent headaches from coming on. Here, we take a look at the evidence-backed foods that can prevent and relieve headache pain. After you've skimmed through this list, bookmark this page so that you'll be armed with the information you need if you're stuck with a debilitating headache.
Another tip if you're regularly plagued with pain: Keep a headache journal. Although there are a few classic foods that trigger and soothe headaches, everybody responds differently to diet-based remedies.
If you write down what you've eaten both before and after your headache comes on, it can help you understand what could be triggering them and which remedies work best for you.
Yes, that's right, one of the primary causes of headaches is dehydration. And oftentimes, when your body is in need of water, it's also in need of electrolytes like potassium. Once you feed your body the nutrients it needs, the pain will likely subside. So next time you feel a headache coming on, bake a russet potato and enjoy it skin and all! One large tater packs more than three times the amount of potassium as a banana which is often thought of as the most potent source.
And since a potato is about 75 percent water, so it's uber hydrating, too! Made up of 97 percent water, the mighty cucumber is another vegetable that can help you stay hydrated and headache-free. Slice some up and enjoy it with hummus or combine the veggie with some tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and black pepper for a simple summer salad.
For more summer salad recipes you're sure to love, check out these salad recipes for weight loss. If you're prone to getting headaches at a certain time of day or after a certain activity like excessive computer use , ward off the pain by nibbling on some cherries. Not only does the red, vibrant fruit provide your bod with some H2O to keep dehydration-related pain away, they also contain compounds that convert to nitric oxide in the blood, a naturally occurring gas that may help protect against tension headaches and migraines.
Beetroot and beetroot juice will also have the same effect. Plus, they're easy to eat on the go and you can add them to everything: smoothies , salads , dips, bowls, or plain, garnished with hemp seeds. Or you could always get fancy and make these avocado boats that double as works of art. Pumpkin seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, pecans, and Brazil nuts all score high in—you guessed it—good fats and magnesium.
Keep stashes around the house, office, and in your convertible gym bag for a quick fix. Add to cart: Here's exactly what to eat for mermaid-worthy hair and the foods to prioritize for a killer complexion. Your official excuse to add "OOD" ahem, out of doors to your cal. Become an Insider.
Enter Email Address. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Youtube Instagram. N o matter what your headache trigger may be— PMS , intense workouts, an exceptionally high-and-tight, Ariana Grande-inspired ponytail —there's no question that a pounding skull is, well, a total pain.
And while acupuncture, exercise, and biofeedback training are helpful ways to reduce symptoms without drugs, they require some advance planning. So, not exactly helpful if you're randomly stricken with a headache in the middle of a conference call. Related Stories. Loading More Posts Research has found greater amounts of phenylethylamine and tyramine in people who suffer from chronic migraines.
It seems possible that chocolate might be a trigger for some, but not others, so definitely try to pay attention to the outcome after your next treat. Research suggests that artificial sweeteners, particularly the super-popular aspartame, may increase the risk of migraine headaches and reduce the percentage of days subjects were headache-free. A healthy food on the no-no list? Sadly, our favorite source of vitamin C may be a trigger for some. One study found that 11 percent of migraine sufferers self-reported an uptick in symptoms after eating citrus fruit.
Another study , however, was not able to see a significant difference in headaches between those who did and did not consume citrus.
If citrus is a problem for headache sufferers, the likely culprit is higher amounts of the amino acid tyramine found in the fruit. Other high-tyramine foods include pineapple, soy, kimchee, raw onions, fava beans, and sauerkraut. Feeling the pressure after a fancy cheese plate? You may not be alone.
The process of fermentation, which is key in the production of cheeses like blue, cheddar, Parmesan, and Camembert, increases the levels of tyramine and phenylethylamine amino acids in food.
Not surprisingly, one study found that 18 percent of migraine sufferers complained that aged cheese was the root cause of their pain. Need to get your fix? Try ricotta, cream cheese, farmer cheese, cottage cheese, or American instead for a lower tyramine option.
Research suggests that the common food preservatives found in processed foods like hot dogs, sausage, and cold cuts may be linked to migraines in some populations. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of headaches in general, so it makes sense that getting your eight glasses a day may help. In one study looking at water intake and headache incidence, water was significantly associated with a reduction in headache intensity and duration.
Another study found that 47 percent of headaches were improved simply by drinking up, compared with 25 percent of sufferers in a control group who did not. We suggest carrying a full bottle of water around and listening to your body for those early signs of thirst before it gets to an extreme. You can also help meet your hydration needs by fitting plenty of fruits and veggies with a high water content into your diet.
While research on salt and headache incidence is in its infancy, one study analyzing the effect of a low-sodium diet found that the likelihood of having a headache was lower when consuming less salt.
One easy way to cut back? Avoid those processed foods and meats, which are also rich in those potentially problematic nitrates. Yep, another win for kale. Leafy greens, like kale, spinach, and chard, are loaded with the B vitamin folate, which may play a unique role in the risk of headaches. Early research on women suggests that a diet low in folate may increase the frequency of migraines compared to women with adequate levels in their diet.
Not a salad fan? Try avocado, seeds, and legumes to get your folate fix but also… just try to eat your greens.
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