Altering your diet and daily habits can play a big role in finding relief from migraines and headaches. Beverages like green smoothies and fruit-infused water might offer help. That said, certain components in drinks can provoke migraine episodes for some people.
Although symptoms differ among individuals, a migraine attack often disrupts everyday life. There’s currently no cure for migraine, which makes treatments, lifestyle adjustments, and dietary choices crucial for improving overall well-being.
Some beverages may actually influence migraine symptoms and how often attacks occur.
Remember that particular ingredients can trigger migraines. Before trying any of the drinks below, ensure they don’t include anything you know will aggravate your condition.
While these drinks can be a useful home strategy to soothe a headache, they’re not a universal remedy or a replacement for conventional migraine treatments and prevention approaches. Collaborate with your physician to create a personalized plan.
Read on for 12 beverages suggested for headaches and migraine attacks.
1. Decaffeinated coffee
Although excessive caffeine can provoke migraines in some people, giving up your daily coffee routine may be difficult. Switching regular coffee for decaffeinated coffee can be a helpful compromise.
When transitioning, reduce caffeinated coffee intake gradually. A sudden stop can cause caffeine withdrawal, which itself can trigger migraine episodes.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that a cup of decaf generally contains roughly 2 to 15 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. It may be wise to limit yourself to a single cup daily.
2. Green tea
If you want an option between decaf and regular coffee in terms of caffeine, consider green tea.
An 8-ounce cup contains around 30 to 50 mg of caffeine, compared with the 80 to 100 mg typically found in the same serving of regular coffee.
Green tea, like black and oolong teas, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and is celebrated for its antioxidants.
Although green tea is often thought to relieve headaches, additional research is necessary to confirm whether it can prevent migraines in everyone.
3. Feverfew tea
Feverfew is an herb from a flowering plant that research suggests may help ease migraine symptoms, including pain, light sensitivity, and nausea. It can be prepared as a tea.
Some studies indicate that chewing feverfew leaves can occasionally cause mouth sores, so certain headache specialists recommend taking feverfew in capsule form instead.
Consult your healthcare provider before using feverfew tea for migraines, especially if you have allergy concerns. Avoid feverfew during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
4. Peppermint tea
Peppermint oil is recognized for its analgesic properties and is commonly applied topically in alternative treatments for tension headaches.
Drinking peppermint tea and inhaling its aroma may relieve migraine pain, particularly if you have a pulsating headache.
A 2021 study reported that peppermint-containing essential oils showed pain-relieving effects in animal models of osteoarthritis, but more research is required to determine whether consuming peppermint helps with migraines.
Peppermint tea is free of caffeine, so you can enjoy it any time without worrying about sleep disruption.
5. Ginger tea
Ginger tea is another caffeine-free herbal option that may help during migraine episodes. This tea is brewed from the plant’s root rather than its leaves.
For migraine management, ginger is particularly useful in reducing nausea and vomiting, which often accompany attacks.
Even if you’re not experiencing these symptoms, you might appreciate the warm, spicy flavor as an alternative to other teas.
6. Green smoothies
If you’re low on leafy greens in your diet, you may be missing an essential B vitamin called folate (vitamin B9), which could influence your migraines.
A 2022 study indicated that vitamin B9 can decrease migraine symptoms, particularly when combined with other B vitamins. More research is needed to determine whether supplements of this vitamin prevent attacks.
Obtaining folate from whole foods in a green smoothie may be beneficial. Try blending greens like kale or spinach with berries and a plant-based milk for variety.
7. Water
Besides other beverages, it’s vital to drink sufficient water throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps prevent a common migraine trigger: dehydration.
Make sure to drink water before and after exercise and increase intake during hot weather to avoid dehydration-related headaches.
8. Fruit-infused water
If plain water feels dull and causes you to drink less, fruit-infused water can be a tastier way to stay hydrated and reduce the risk of a migraine attack.
Just add chopped fresh fruit to water for flavor and a nutrient boost. Depending on the fruit you choose, you may also gain vitamin C and antioxidant benefits. For ideas related to sinus and headache relief, consider exploring salt water for migraine as part of broader hydration strategies.
9. Grape juice
Grape juice may have been a childhood favorite, and it can still offer benefits as an adult.
Half a cup of grape juice provides about 10 mg of magnesium, a mineral that may be associated with improved migraine outcomes.
Low magnesium levels might contribute to abnormal nerve signaling, which could be involved in migraine development.
Adult women generally need between 310 and 320 mg of magnesium per day, while adult men require 400 to 420 mg daily depending on age.
Reaching the recommended magnesium intake is also essential for processes like metabolism, heart function, and muscle contractions.
10. Orange juice
Orange juice is another beverage that might help with headaches and migraines because it supplies magnesium.
A half-cup of orange juice contains about 11 mg of magnesium. To avoid extra sugars, opt for varieties labeled “100% juice.”
If citrus fruits are known triggers for your migraines, skip orange juice and choose another option from this list.
11. Grapefruit juice
If you prefer tangier juices, grapefruit juice is another way to get magnesium. A half-cup serving has about 13 mg of magnesium — the highest amount among the fruit juices listed here.
A 2018 review found that the micronutrient profile of grapefruit juice is similar to that of the whole fruit. Be sure to choose juices without added sugars.
As with orange juice, avoid grapefruit juice if citrus triggers your migraines.
12. Reduced-fat milk
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is another nutrient that may help decrease migraine frequency, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Drinking reduced-fat milk can contribute toward the recommended daily riboflavin intake, which is 1.3 mg for adult men and 1.1 mg for adult women.
One cup of 2% milk supplies about 0.5 mg—nearly half of the daily riboflavin requirement for most adults.
Takeaway
Migraine is a neurological disorder without a cure. However, modifying diet and lifestyle — including choosing particular beverages — may offer some symptom relief.
Teas contain antioxidants that might lower inflammation, while juices, milk, and green smoothies can provide nutrients that could reduce migraine frequency.
Migraine triggers are individual, so avoid any ingredients that worsen your symptoms. If a drink causes or intensifies a migraine, stop consuming it immediately.
Remember that beverages don’t replace standard medical migraine care.
Consult your healthcare provider if your migraines persist. They can recommend further evaluation and other lifestyle adjustments that may help.
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