A headache can strike anytime and make your day a terrible one. No matter how much you have eaten or drank to ward off dehydration, one of the most common triggers of headache – there is no guarantee that headache would not visit you suddenly.
People who suffer from lots of headaches and migraines know how truly awful they can really be. Although most of the time they’re nothing serious, headaches and migraines can stop you from sleeping and working productively. No one wants to deal with headaches, but unfortunately, they can be a daily issue for many people. With this being said, there are alternative methods such as trying aromatherapy by using something like a Scentsy wax warmer with wax melts. By burning candles, the release of scents induces a sense of calm and well being, which is needed to help you relax and hopefully reduce the pain of the headache.
Additionally, foods generally control the trigger factors of headache and hence prevent them, foods rich in magnesium relieve such headaches by calming the nerves. Here is a list of some of the fabulous foods that prevent headaches.
Coffee?
You wouldn’t think your favorite vice could help headaches, but the caffeine in coffee helps to constrict blood vessels which provide headache relief. Just be careful, too much coffee can dehydrate you and make your headache worse and this is discussed in articles like Caffeine Headache: Symptoms, Withdrawal, Treatment and Alternatives. Just make sure you find something that works for you and doesn’t do you more harm than good.
Bananas
If you’ve got a stubborn headache or migraine that just won’t buzz off, bananas are one of the best fruits you can eat. Notoriously rich in magnesium, bananas relax your blood vessels, thereby easing your pain. They also contain plenty of potassium, which helps to restore your electrol
yte balance. When we drink too much, dehydration causes some of us to lose electrolytes, which is why we often wake up with a pounding headache.
Ginger
Ginger is an ancient spice that savvy Indians and Chinese have been adding to their diets for thousands of years. Recently, people in the western world have been using it their dishes too, not just for the kick it adds to their meals, but also for its health benefits. Among its benefits is its ability to cure a headache. This is because ginger contains anti-inflammatory agents that are able to get to the heart of the problem and nurse an aching head the natural way.
Potatoes
If you’ve got a headache, the best way to enjoy your potatoes is with their skin still left on. This is because a potato’s skin is loaded with potassium. When you are low on potassium, you are more prone to headaches. Potatoes with their skin still left on is an easy way to remedy this issue. Like bananas, potatoes are able to restore proper electrolyte balance whenever you’re dehydrated. So rather than turn to fatty foods after a night of heavy drinking, why not eat some potatoes?!
Almonds
Almonds are essentially no bigger than over-the-counter pills that you’ve probably already used to treat your headaches and migraines. But where the pills may have failed, almonds could win. Almonds are a fantastically nutritious snack that are well-known for their healing benefits, and many people count on them to treat their sore heads. They are rich in magnesium, which as mentioned relaxes good vessels and throbbing, aching muscles. But they also promote the production of serotonin, a happy chemical that makes us feel better and which can treat headaches.
Yogurt
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Yogurt is mega-rich in calcium, an essential vitamin for treating a sore head. If you’re low on calcium, you could end up with a painful heading, which is why making sure that you get enough of this nutrient is super important. While yogurt is a great way of fixing headaches and migraines, there are healthy yogurts and rather unhealthy ones, too. If you want to get the best out of a yogurt, we suggest that you look out for 0% Greek yogurts. If you are surprised by this and would like to learn more about yogurt and even how to make it yourself, then you will need to have a look at what is yogurt made of as a starting point. If you’re not too keen on yogurts, you can also get your calcium fix from milk.
Spinach
When it comes to naming one superfood that has powers to combat headaches, the unanimous answer would be spinach. Rich in vitamin B2 (riboflavin), spinach relaxes the brain and hence relieves headache. It eases pain caused by headache. Spinach is loaded with vitamins that can cure and prevent headaches. You don’t have to eat it by itself, but can add it to any number of delicious, nutritious dishes.
Water
Dehydration has been identified as a migraine attack trigger in some people. If you are prone to migraine attacks and headaches, make sure you drink enough water throughout the day. As a general rule, 6-8 glasses of water a day should be sufficient, but if you are physically active your body will require significantly more water. It is also best to stick to water, as many other drinks (e.g. orange juice, red wine, and drinks containing artificial sweeteners) can actually trigger migraines and headaches in general.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a delicious way to quickly rehydrate and consume healthy sugars. Watermelon has a very high water content, thus its name. You can enjoy watermelon cut up, frozen, or blended into drinks. Dehydration can quickly cause a pounding headache so if you find it difficult to drink enough water throughout the day, try snacking on high water fruits and vegetables.
This is especially important in the summer months when heatstroke is a danger. And luckily, watermelon is a fruit that is not only high in water content, but also one that is super cooling to eat as well as light on the tummy during really humid days when you don’t feel like eating much. Watermelon also provides a touch of natural sweetness so it makes the ideal light after meal dessert.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are high in vitamin B2, also called riboflavin. This nutrient is important in making celular energy. Riboflavin deficiencies can occur due to poor diet or genetic predisposition. Eating a diet high in B2 can help relieve and prevent headaches. Mushrooms have high levels of riboflavin, along with broccoli and spinach. Many cereals also come fortified with B2.
In fact, scientific research shows that riboflavin encourages the production of red blood cells, which can explain why many migraine sufferers also have a vitamin B2 deficiency. Riboflavin also boosts energy absorption from foods like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, to ensure migraine sufferers are properly energized.
Cucumber
Prevent getting headaches in the first place by drinking water throughout the day. Cucumbers are a great high water vegetable that can quickly rehydrate a sore body. If you’re battling a painful hangover, make a green smoothie to start your day. Blend together cucumber, apples, and spinach for a high water, high nutrient drink. Other high water foods include berries, tomatoes, and celery.
Similar to watermelon, cucumber is a water-rich vegetable that can easily be incorporated into many foods–such as salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. Getting that extra bit of hydration in before a night of heavy drinking can prevent a hangover and keep hydration levels stable. Typically, the most common source of a hangover is dehydration.
Liver
Beef liver is very high in vitamin B3, also known as niacin. Slight deficiencies of niacin can cause pounding headaches and migraines. Niacin is a water soluble vitamin, which means that you can eat it in excess without worries of overdoses. Enjoy liver as an entree, sausages, or as pâté. Liver fried with onions is a popular home style dish served at diner restaurants. This healthy food is also high in B6, B12, folate, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
Researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center claim that foods high in vitamin B3, like beef liver, has shown success in treating chronic migraines.The best food sources of vitamin B3 are beef liver and kidney, as well as beets, salmon, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Many types of cereals are also fortified with niacin (or B3).
