Up to 18% of individuals worldwide are thought to suffer from migraines or intense headaches that repeat often, and even more people get headaches on a regular basis (1). But why?
Research suggests that inadequate consumption of fiber may be the cause (2). These are the study’s findings:
The Relationship between Migraines and Fiber
Chinese researchers sought to investigate the relationship between dietary fiber and participants’ migraine and headache frequency and intensity. They achieved this by examining the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’s available data on fiber and headaches.
And from their research, it seems that fiber may be more important for headaches than previously believed. More dietary fiber was shown to be associated with a lower incidence of severe headaches and migraines, according to the researchers’ findings.
The researchers found that the frequency of headaches and migraines decreased by 11% for every 10 grams more of fiber consumed daily.
The researchers write: “To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the relationship between dietary fiber and severe headache or migraine… Increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods might protect from severe headache or migraine.”
What Can You Do?
If fiber does, in fact, help prevent headaches and migraines, then increasing your diet’s fiber content is the easy fix! There is fiber in a wide variety of foods, including cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Here’s a short list of popular items that are high in fiber that you might not know about:
Naturally, you can easily meet your fiber needs by using a high-quality supplement in addition to eating a healthy diet. Check out our selection of the top fiber supplements, which is supported by a physician versed in nutrition if you’re unsure where to begin.
To Wrap Things Up
Incorporating more fiber into your diet could be a simple yet powerful strategy to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines. Whether through whole foods or supplements, ensuring adequate fiber intake might be a key step toward better health and fewer headaches.
As the research suggests, this small dietary change could make a significant difference in your overall well-being. Consider adding more fiber-rich foods to your meals today and experience the potential benefits for yourself. Your future self may just thank you for it!
Looking for more comfort? Check out this post on Choosing the Perfect Pillow for Headache Relief!
Sources |
- Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 – ScienceDirect
- Frontiers | The association between dietary fiber intake and severe headaches or migraine in US adults (frontiersin.org)
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