 |
| Image by Jamie Grill Atlas / Stocksy |
It's estimated that up to 18% of the world's population experiences migraines1 or recurrent painful headaches, with even more people dealing with headaches on a regular basis. But why?
According to research published in Frontiers in Nutrition2, not getting enough fiber could be to blame. Here's what the study found.
The Connection Between Fiber And Migraines
For this study, researchers from China wanted to look at how dietary fiber affected the prevalence and severity of migraines and headaches in participants. To do so, they analyzed existing data on fiber and headaches from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
And based on their findings, it would appear fiber might play more of a role in headaches than we previously thought. Namely, the researchers saw that there was a significant association between the two, with more dietary fiber leading to a decrease in severe headaches and migraines.
For every increase of 10 grams of fiber per day, there was an 11% decrease in the prevalence of headaches and migraines, the researchers observed.
"To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the relationship between dietary fiber and severe headache or migraine," the study authors note in their research, adding, "Increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods might protect from severe headache or migraine."
What To Do About It
If indeed, fiber can help us ward off headaches and migraines, the solution is simple: Get more fiber in your diet! Fiber is present in tons of different foods, from grains to fruits and vegetables, as well as legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Here's a quick list of some common staples you may not have realized are fiber-rich:
- Avocado
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Chickpeas
- Berries
- Apples
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Sweet potatoes
- Almonds
- Sunflower seeds
And of course, beyond just the foods you eat, you can also use a high-quality supplement to easily fulfill your fiber needs. If you don't know where to start, check out our roundup of the best fiber supplements, all backed by a nutrition Ph.D.
The Takeaway
A lot of us suffer from headaches and migraines, and according to this research, fiber might be able to help. Research shows that getting enough fiber daily can also promote gut health, immune function, digestion, blood sugar balance, healthy bowel movements, and more.
So the next time you're doing some grocery shopping, be sure to throw some fiber-rich essentials or a fiber supplement in your cart.
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673616316786
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1044066/full#B2
Important Notice: This article was originally published at www.mindbodygreen.com by Sarah Regan where all credits are due.
Disclaimer
The watching, interacting, and participation of any kind with anything on this page does not constitute or initiate a doctor-patient relationship with Veripeudic.com. None of the statements here have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products of Veripeudic.com are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information being provided should only be considered for education and entertainment purposes only. If you feel that anything you see or hear may be of value to you on this page or on any other medium of any kind associated with, showing, or quoting anything relating to Veripeudic.com in any way at any time, you are encouraged to and agree to consult with a licensed healthcare professional in your area to discuss it. If you feel that you’re having a healthcare emergency, seek medical attention immediately. The views expressed here are simply either the views and opinions of Veripeudic.com or others appearing and are protected under the first amendment.
Veripeudic.com promotes evidence-based natural approaches to health, which means integrating her individual scientific and clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. By individual clinical expertise, I refer to the proficiency and judgment that individual clinicians acquire through clinical experience and clinical practice.
Veripeudic.com does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of any multimedia content provided. Veripeudic.com does not warrant the performance, effectiveness, or applicability of any sites listed, linked, or referenced to, in, or by any multimedia content.
To be clear, the multimedia content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any website, video, image, or media of any kind. Veripeudic.com hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.
