In addition to the numerous uses in cookies, cakes, drinks, pastries, etc., chocolate has also made a name for being very beneficial for health. Chocolate is well-known as an anti-inflammatory food and is also packed with antioxidants, making it beneficial for several health aspects. Does chocolate assist with headaches, for example?
In general, chocolate is considered to help headaches, but not all types of chocolate. Dark chocolate is the most effective as it is 70% cocoa. Cocoa contains magnesium and riboflavin, which relax the blood vessels in the head, causing the headache to subside.
Because the main ingredient in chocolate is cocoa, which is known as a powerful antioxidant, and the more cocoa it contains, the more beneficial the chocolate is. There are many misconceptions about whether or not chocolate is beneficial and to what extent. Not all types of chocolate are equally effective against headaches. In the following paragraphs, I will explain which types of chocolate are beneficial for headaches and are they helpful for migraines.
Contents
- Does Milk Chocolate Help Headaches?
- Is Dark Chocolate Good for Headaches?
- Does Hot Chocolate Help Headaches?
- Does White Chocolate Help Headaches?
- Does White Chocolate Cause Migraines?
- Does Chocolate Milk Help Headaches?
- Does Chocolate Help Migraine Headaches?
- Can Chocolate Give You a Headache?
- FAQs
- Does chocolate help or hurt a headache?
- Does chocolate not cause migraines?
- Are headaches triggered by alcohol or chocolate?
- What foods trigger headaches?
- What stops a headache fast?
- What should I eat if I have a headache?
- Why did my headache go away after eating chocolate?
- What foods help migraines go away?
- What 7 foods trigger migraines?
- Why do I crave chocolate when I have a headache?
Does Milk Chocolate Help Headaches?
Milk chocolate cannot help an already existing headache, but regular consumption of milk chocolate helps reduce the frequency of the headaches and their severity.The percentage of cocoa in milk chocolate varies from 35% to 55%, which isnt enough for the cocoa to come into full effect.
The milk powder in milk chocolate is sometimes made of actual milk, but sometimes it isnt, so depending on the quality of the milk powder, the milk chocolate can be more or less efficient. The reduced cocoa amount combined with, say, low-quality milk powder wont do much to help you reduce the frequency of your headaches.
On the other hand, if the milk chocolate is made of high-quality milk powder and a good amount of cocoa, it does have a beneficial effect.
Is Dark Chocolate Good for Headaches?
Dark chocolate is the type of chocolate that is most beneficial for headaches.[2] Dark chocolate consists of 70% cocoa which is enough for the cocoa to visibly influence the taste and effects of the dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate helps with already existing headaches, but it also helps in reducing their frequency. Cocoa has magnesium and riboflavin, which help blood vessels relax and reduce headaches intensity. Therefore, regular consumption of dark chocolate will make your headaches less frequent and more manageable, and theobromine will have a relaxing effect on your whole body.
Does Hot Chocolate Help Headaches?
Because it is so tender, creamy, and absolutely delicious, hot chocolate stimulates serotonin secretion in the body.Thats why we feel calmer and more serene after a cup of hot chocolate. Calming oneself and letting the body unwind is tremendously vital during a headache.
The tenser we are, the worse the headache becomes. Therefore, hot chocolate is an excellent choice if you have a headache. In addition, the cocoa in the hot chocolate will combine well with the calming effect of the hot chocolate, which will certainly alleviate your pain.
Still, hot chocolate makes the pain more bearable, rather than eliminating it, making it easier for you to manage it. However, if you want a hot chocolate while you have a headache, make sure it doesnt contain caffeine, as it will likely worsen your headache.
Does White Chocolate Help Headaches?
Actually, white chocolate isnt even chocolate as it doesnt contain cocoa particles.It is made of cocoa butter, sugar, and vanilla flavoring (in most cases). Cocoa butter is packed with vitamin E, which boosts brain health and clears up brain fog. Therefore it can also help with headaches.
However, it has a more preventative rather than restorative effect, making your headaches more tolerable and manageable.
Does White Chocolate Cause Migraines?
Since the root cause of the migraine remains unknown to this day, no one can say for sure what triggers it, so no, white chocolate doesnt cause migraine.White chocolate, on the other hand, is anti-migraine.
Although it isnt an illness, migraine is a type of headache that affects a large portion of the world population, with women being affected more than men. It is believed that migraines are triggered by a sudden hormone change in the body, which is why many women have them before their cycles.
The vitamin E contained in cocoa butter, a constituent ingredient in white chocolate, has a very beneficial effect on reproductive health, especially in women, and helps balance the hormones, especially during the wretched PMS period. [3] So, not only does white chocolate not trigger migraines, it helps prevent them.
Though it doesnt help alleviate the current pain, white chocolate is efficient in the long run. Still, every organism is different, and if you have specific intolerances, white chocolate can have an adverse effect, although it isnt known as such.
Does Chocolate Milk Help Headaches?
Yes, chocolate milk helps with headaches.Much like milk chocolate, chocolate milk contains, more or less, the same ingredients and is therefore equally effective when it comes to headaches. Chocolate milk cannot alleviate an already existing headache, but it can make your headaches more manageable in the long run.
The protein and vitamins from the milk, combined with the cocoa in the cocoa powder, are an absolute slam dunk improving your circulatory health and detoxifying your body. In addition, the milk will hydrate your body, making it easier for the cocoa to get absorbed into your system.
Does Chocolate Help Migraine Headaches?
Migraine headaches are a very mysterious type of headache, and it is still uncertain why they occur or how we can get rid of them.There certainly is a correlation between chocolate and migraine headaches.
The magnesium and riboflavin contained in chocolate and incredibly dark chocolate are known to be beneficial for headaches. However, it is believed that chocolate harms migraine headaches rather than helping you get rid of them. [4]
Can Chocolate Give You a Headache?
You can get a headache after eating chocolate, for sure, but whether or not the chocolate has triggered, it is not as clear-cut as it seems.First, the general nutrition and lifestyle primarily affect the frequency and severity of your headaches.
Another major factor is physical activity, whether you are active or mainly sedentary. The stress level is maybe one of the determining factors in this regard. Therefore, even if you get a headache after eating chocolate, it can be for various reasons, and it doesnt necessarily mean that the chocolate is to blame here.
The caffeine contracts the blood vessels, which creates pressure in the head. However, caffeine can also improve headaches in people with low blood pressure. Chocolate can trigger headaches due to the caffeine contained in cocoa.
In summation, it all depends on the individual, as what works for some doesnt for others. [5] Chocolate can help reduce or prevent your headache but can worsen it for the next guy. Generally, if you have low blood pressure or a low glycemic index, chocolate will likely help you with your headache, but if you have higher blood pressure, it may make things worse for you.
Still, it is worth the try, as it wont harm you.
FAQs
Does chocolate help or hurt a headache?
Chocolate is the most popular food trigger of a migraine, and it has been epidemiologically implicated in triggering migraine attacks, and the classic advice given by doctors to patients with migraines is to avoid it [11].
Does chocolate not cause migraines?
Basically, there’s no solid evidence that chocolate triggers migraines. It may trigger migraines in some patients, but probably not in most. If you love chocolate, you don’t have to give it up — and continuing to eat a little is good for your health.
Are headaches triggered by alcohol or chocolate?
Traditionally, alcohol, chocolate, aged cheese and monosodium glutamate (MSG) were food culprits for the triggering of migraine headaches in many patients. However, newer evidence shows that these triggers may not be as absolute as previously believed.
What foods trigger headaches?
deli meats, pepperoni, other cured or processed meats.nitrite-containing meats including hot dogs, sausage, bacon, lunchmeatsChocolate. Caffeinated beverages, including coffee, tea and colas. Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. Nitrate
What stops a headache fast?
Tips to Get Rid of a Headache
Try a Cold Pack.
Use a Heating Pad or Hot Compress.
Ease Pressure on Your Scalp or Head.
Dim the Lights.
Try Not to Chew.
Hydrate.
Get Some Caffeine.
Practice Relaxation.
What should I eat if I have a headache?
What Foods are Good for Headache Relief?
Leafy greens. Leafy greens contain a variety of elements that contribute to headache relief.
Nuts. Nuts are rich in magnesium, which soothes headache pain by relaxing blood vessels.
Fatty fish.
4. Fruits.
Seeds.
Whole grains.
Legumes.
Hot peppers.
Why did my headache go away after eating chocolate?
In addition, cocoa beans have the added benefit of lowering blood pressure, making chocolate a better way to caffeinate during a headache. These benefits, alongside mood-improving characteristics, make chocolate a good option for alleviating headaches.
What foods help migraines go away?
Magnesium-rich foods include dark leafy greens, avocado, and tuna. Omega-3 fatty acids: Research indicates that increasing omega-3 fatty acids may help people with migraine. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fish, such as mackerel and salmon, seeds, and legumes.
What 7 foods trigger migraines?
Accused food triggers for migraine in susceptible individuals
Alcohol, specifically red wine.
Aspartame sweetener.
Beans and other tyramine-containing foods.
Caffeine (often found in foods, beverages, and medicines).
Cheeses and yogurt.
Chinese food or other soups and foods containing MSG.
Why do I crave chocolate when I have a headache?
“Some people have physiological cravings for chocolate anywhere from 4-24 hours before their migraine,” she explains. “Because of that association, people often assume that it triggers the attack—but in reality it may be your body attempting to treat a migraine before it even begins.