Miracle Foods and Supplements for Headache Relief

7. Plain Yogurt We know, we know – plain yogurt can be really dull. But it’s also full of essential vitamins and nutrients that your body needs,… Trista - April 15, 2022

7. Plain Yogurt

We know, we know – plain yogurt can be really dull. But it’s also full of essential vitamins and nutrients that your body needs, including a ton of headache-fighting ones like magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B2 and B12. And as we’ve talked about, all of these compounds are essential for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, lowering blood pressure, reducing tension in the muscles, and improving circulation.

Don’t like plain yogurt? We don’t blame you. Luckily, there are a lot of other headache-busting ingredients you can add. Try tossing in a handful of almonds or chunks of watermelon and banana. Sprinkle in some powdered ginger for a spicy, fragrant punch. Alternatively, turn it into a smoothie with some spinach. You could even make a savory yogurt sauce to pair with your salmon or mackerel. However you enjoy it, if you suffer from headaches, you should consider trying to eat a serving of yogurt a day, or at least a few times a week.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

6. Magnesium

We’ve been talking about eating magnesium-rich foods to help relieve and prevent headaches, and now we’re going directly to the source. We know that magnesium helps reduce muscle tension and blood vessel spasms, as well as lower your blood pressure. The American Migraine Foundation suggests that 400-500mg of magnesium oxide daily can prevent migraines. Some researchers think that taking over 600mg for at least 3-4 months can further increase its migraine-preventing power.

However, some people can have adverse reactions to high amounts of migraine in their system, and magnesium may be more helpful for severe migraines that cause auras or visual disturbances. Some people may also have trouble absorbing magnesium when taken orally; in that case, your doctor may be willing to administer 1-2g of magnesium sulfate intravenously. Obviously, you can also increase your magnesium intake by eating many foods on this list. Before taking any supplement, meet with your doctor to ensure that increasing your magnesium levels will be safe for you.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

5. Avocado

Avocados are always a popular choice; guacamole and avocado toast, anyone? However, avocados are also a headache-reducing superfood, with magnesium, potassium, healthy fats, and B vitamins. They can help stabilize blood sugar, balance hormones, and reduce blood pressure, tension, and oxidative stress. Plus, you can add the creamy, mild flavor to nearly anything you can think of.

Put avocados in smoothies for a creamy treat, slice some over your salad, make your own guacamole, and more. You can even just eat the avocado by itself. However, we’d recommend combining it with some of the other headache busters on our list, like sprinkling it with sesame seeds or cayenne pepper. You won’t regret incorporating this delicious, readily available fruit into your everyday diet. Keep reading for more ways to seek headache relief through natural at-home remedies like superfoods and supplements.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has long been a health food darling, with people drinking it, adding it to face masks, shampoos, etc. Nevertheless, there is some evidence to suggest that it can also help indirectly treat headaches and headache symptoms. It’s high in potassium, one of our favorite headache-fighting compounds, and is also great for regulating blood sugar and helping with nausea. Anecdotal evidence even suggests that mixing about ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of boiling water and inhaling the steam for around 3 minutes can help relieve sinus pressure and infections and the headaches that come with them.

Another way to use apple cider vinegar is to mix a tablespoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of honey into an 8-oz glass of water and drink it every day. However, it’s important to note that if you have diabetes or are prediabetic, you should be careful in consuming apple cider vinegar and check your blood sugar more frequently until you know how it impacts your levels. If you’re prone to heartburn, you should also be cautious – large quantities of apple cider vinegar can be very acidic, though raw, unfiltered ACV may be less dangerous.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

3. A Cup of Coffee

How many of us feel like we aren’t ourselves until we’ve had our daily cup of coffee? Caffeine is everywhere, and nearly all of us rely on at least some caffeine to get us through the day. However, did you know that caffeine has the potential to both relieve headaches and cause them? It’s true! It’s rare, but people can suffer from what’s known as “caffeine rebound,” which can cause severe headaches due to caffeine withdrawals.

However, the benefits of caffeine may outweigh the risks. Caffeine has vasoconstrictive properties that help narrow blood vessels, aiding in head pain relief. Blood vessels tend to expand just before a headache or migraine, so catching it early can be useful. A cup of coffee has anywhere from around 50 – 150mg of caffeine, depending on how you make it. Thus, you have to be careful not to have too much. But drinking a cup of coffee when you feel a headache coming on can provide significant relief.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

2. Peppermint Oil

Using peppermint oil to fight headache symptoms has become increasingly popular, but is it actually effective? Some studies seem to indicate that, yes, peppermint oil can be beneficial in reducing headaches, especially tension-type headaches. One study found that peppermint oil applied to the skin on the forehead and temples significantly reduced headache symptoms in as little as 15 minutes and was essentially as effective as Tylenol at keeping the headache at bay.

It’s important to remember that peppermint oil is incredibly strong and you should use it with care. Never apply peppermint oil directly to your skin, as it can burn you, and don’t use peppermint oil around pets, as it can be toxic. It would be best if you also talked to your doctor before using peppermint oil for headache relief, as it has the potential to interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. However, if you can safely use it, peppermint oil can help relieve headache symptoms and get you feeling better faster.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

1. Watermelon

Did you ever think that watermelon would be top of our list of headache-fighting foods? It may come as a surprise that this tasty summer treat is also a migraine-busting powerhouse. However, it’s true; watermelon contains two of our favorite nutrients, potassium and magnesium. It’s also mostly water – over 90% water, in fact! With dehydration being one of the most common causes of headaches, having a water-rich food like a watermelon on hand can be super helpful in keeping headaches away.

Watermelon is delicious on its own. However, consider this: make a parfait with plain yogurt, watermelon, and bananas, and toss in some almonds and candied ginger to finish it off. You’ve just made yourself a tasty, healthy breakfast packed with headache-relieving superfoods. Try to get fresh watermelon because the newer it is, the more water it will have. You could even puree watermelon with some lemon juice and a bit of sugar, then pop it in the freezer for a delicious summertime sorbet.

<< Previous