Miracle Foods and Supplements for Headache Relief

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,… Trista - April 15, 2022

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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