6 foods that will help soothe a headache
Nothing throws a spanner into the works of a productive day like a headache, but if you’re clever they can be avoided. Here are six foods to help soothe any headache.
This way you’ll never have a day derailed by head pains.
1. Leafy salad
Many of the most pounding headaches are caused by dehydration, so a fresh leafy salad is a great way to rehydrate yourself while getting some extra vitamins. Iceberg lettuce is a great source of water, but relatively low in nutrients so try for varieties like butter lettuce, spinach and arugula that have other goodies to help you face the headache.
2. Potato
Headaches can also be caused by a lack of electrolytes like potassium, which the humble potato just so happens to have in spades! A baked potato with skin is a great source of potassium (and might be a great way to nurse a self-inflicted headache).
3. Wholegrain toast
Now here’s a warning for people adopting a low-carb diet. Opting out of carbohydrates can deplete glycogen stores which are the main source of energy to the brain, increasing fluid losses and in turn triggering dehydration. If you’re starting to feel a headache on the horizon, you can do worse than making yourself a couple of slices of wholegrain toast.
4. Almonds
Magnesium is key to protecting your body from the brunt of a headache by helping to relax blood vessels, and a great source of magnesium is the humble almond. Munching on a handful of plain almonds whenever you feel as though a headache is about to occur could be an effective way of alleviating some of the condition’s worst symptoms.
5. Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds might be small but they pack a huge nutritional punch. Sesame seeds are rich in vitamin E which can help prevent migraines and improves circulation which can help prevent headaches. These useful seeds are also rich in magnesium which, as we mentioned before, is quick an effective way to cut down on headaches.
6. Fatty types of fish
Asides from being a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids, fatty varieties of fish also have many anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce the pain of chronic headaches. Now if that’s not a good enough excuse for some smoked salmon we don’t know what is!
Have you tried any of these headache soothing foods?
Let us know in the comments.
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