Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder with no known cure or specific cause. Common migraine triggers include stress and certain medications, but various dietary choices can trigger them.

Drinks that may trigger migraine include chocolate-based drinks such as hot chocolate, dairy-based drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

While some drinks can trigger migraine, others can help ease or even prevent migraine. However, dietary triggers vary for each person. Therefore, people who do experience migraine might consider avoiding any of the beverages listed below if they know it could trigger an episode for them.

This article explains which drinks can aid migraine, including easing symptoms such as pain and nausea.

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Ivan Andrianov/Stocksy United

The Stroke Association indicates that migraine without aura is the most common type of migraine, affecting up to 90% of people with the condition. However, a 2021 article suggests that 60% have a genetic cause and 40% have environmental causes, meaning that triggers may vary for each person.

It is likely that drinks that aid migraine will also differ from person to person.

Learn more about migraine.

Caffeine plays an ambiguous role in its relation to migraine. Studies show that caffeine and caffeine withdrawal are both migraine triggers. However, they also show that caffeine may effectively treat migraine.

Decaffeinated coffee

If someone knows or suspects caffeine triggers a migraine episode, they might benefit by switching to a decaffeinated coffee brand. Regular coffee drinkers must wean themselves off caffeine gradually to avoid potentially triggering a withdrawal-induced migraine.

Decaf coffee still has the same beneficial antioxidants and polyphenols as regular coffee but without the high caffeine content. The National Coffee Association state that decaffeinated coffee still contains around 2 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per cup. This is 97% less than caffeinated coffee, which contains about 95 mg of caffeine per cup.

Learn more about the links between caffeine and migraine.

Coffee

While caffeine is one of the most well-known migraine triggers, it can also be a safe and effective treatment. Treatment studies on the relationship between caffeine and migraine headaches indicate that caffeine, generally combined with analgesics, helped relieve migraine symptoms.

There is insufficient scientific evidence to suggest that those with migraine should abstain from caffeine. However, consuming too much caffeine may lead to chronic migraine, as sudden caffeine withdrawal and a subsequent migraine trigger could become more likely.

People who experience migraine should keep their caffeine intake to less than 200 mg per day. A regular cup of coffee contains roughly 95 mg of caffeine.

Learn more about the benefits of coffee.

Almond milk is high in magnesium, containing about 15.7 mg per cup. An older study indicates that magnesium is highly effective in migraine prevention, as a deficiency in magnesium aggravates the elements of migraine development.

Swapping out dairy-based drinks, a known migraine trigger, for almond milk could have additional benefits for migraine prevention.

Learn more about the benefits of almond milk.

Turmeric is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties and aids digestion. But both can also be useful in migraine treatment and prevention.

A meta-analysis of randomized studies indicates that the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, significantly decreases migraine symptoms and the frequency of migraine episodes. There is also evidence that ginger reduces headache pain and eases nausea, common migraine symptoms.

Turmeric and ginger beverages include:

  • Golden milk: Golden milk is a popular drink that contains turmeric, ginger, and other spices. Although any non-dairy milk is suitable for golden milk, almond milk enhances its migraine-aiding benefits.
  • Turmeric and ginger tea: Many commercial brands offer turmeric and ginger tea.
  • Turmeric and ginger shots: Juicing fresh turmeric with ginger may help decrease migraine symptoms. To reap the most benefits, add a pinch of black pepper. Pepper contains piperine, a compound that increases the absorption of curcumin by up to 2,000%.

Learn more about the benefits of turmeric tea.

Feverfew is a small white flower that some people use to make tea, which may help with arthritis, fevers, headaches, and migraine.

An older systematic review of studies on feverfew indicates that it has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. It also suggests that feverfew can treat migraine headaches and prevent migraine episodes from developing.

Learn more about other herbal remedies for migraine.

A 2020 study suggests that dehydration significantly increases the frequency and severity of migraine. Staying hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water each day can help prevent migraine episodes and accompanying headaches. It is also beneficial to overall health. However, scientists need to conduct more research to determine why water has this effect.

For added migraine-related benefits, try drinking mineral water. Mineral water contains magnesium, which can help to stave off migraine.

However, a much older study states that drinking cold water too quickly can also trigger migraine.

Learn more about the overall health benefits of water.

There is no known cure for migraine, but avoiding potential triggers and taking medications can help treat them. Medications include:

Some medications may also have side effects.

Learn about injectable medications for migraine.

Maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine. Consuming the beverages listed above in moderation may also be beneficial. Understanding which foods and drinks trigger migraine episodes can also help prevent migraine from developing.