If you have a headache, some foods can help relieve the pain, whether it is mild or excruciating. If you want to avoid taking medication or paying for cures that promise to get rid of your headaches but don't work, incorporating foods into your diet that provide headache relief naturally might just be what you need. To lessen the severity of your headaches, or possibly stop them completely, you may need to experiment with different combinations of food. Consult your doctor before attempting to self-treat headaches, or if your headaches persist or worsen.
Chili Peppers
If your headache is the result of sinus issues, chili peppers --- or more specifically the capsaicinoids they contain --- could help, retailer Achoo Allergy & Air Products reports on its website. Capsaicinoids are the chemical that gives the chili peppers the spice that makes your eyes water. The chemical also clears your sinuses almost instantly, though temporarily. Since the peppers clear the sinuses, they will also relieve the pressure in your head caused by the clogged sinuses.
Spinach
Eating foods with high magnesium content will help to relieve the pain of headaches, including migraines, according to the Relieve Migraine Headache website. Alcohol intake, stress and menstruation can all contribute to the onset of migraine headaches, because they force your body to use up the magnesium it has stored. Eating dark green vegetables, such as spinach, replenishes magnesium, restores the body's natural balance and can alleviate the pain of the headache.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as olive oil, walnuts and fish, can bring headache relief, according to the Bottom Line Secrets website. Consuming omega-3-rich foods reduce the inflammation associated with headaches. When the blood vessels inside your head become inflamed and start to constrict, the result is often a painful headache. By using olive oil in place of butter and consuming nuts and two to three servings of fatty fish weekly, you may find that your headaches will fade.
