Many people enjoy the taste of garlic in their meals, and it even has some medical benefits in the prevention of heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, headache is a rare side effect of garlic supplementation, and it may signify an allergy or sensitivity to garlic if it occurs with other side effects. Talk to your doctor about getting tested for a garlic allergy if you get headaches after eating it.
Other Triggers
Although headache is a rare side effect of garlic supplementation, garlic isn't a known trigger for headaches. However, certain foods that are known to trigger migraines may also contain garlic. If you suffer from migraines or other types of headaches frequently, watch your intake of processed meat, beans, cultured dairy, monosodium glutamate, onions, sauerkraut, pickles and soy sauce. It may not be the garlic in these foods that is causing your headaches. Other trigger foods include aged cheese, alcohol, avocado, chocolate, figs, lentils, nuts, papaya, passion fruit, peas, raisins and red plums.
Garlic Allergy
Garlic is not a common food allergen, but it is possible to be sensitive to it. A 2004 study published in "The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" found that a compound called alliin lyase was the substance causing reactions in a group of garlic-allergic people. Alliin lyase is also present in leeks, shallots and onions, so if garlic causes headaches or other allergy symptoms, the related foods may also do so.
Other Side Effects
If you are sensitive to garlic, you may experience other side effects after eating it or taking a garlic supplement. These might include upset stomach, bloating, skin irritation, fatigue, appetite loss, muscle aches and dizziness. Talk to your doctor before taking garlic supplements or eating a lot of garlic if you are taking antiplatelet medications, blood thinners or protease inhibitors, or if you are about to have surgery or deliver a baby. Garlic may negatively interact with these medications, and it has a blood-thinning effect that can increase your risk of bleeding during medical procedures.
Solutions
To determine the cause of your headaches, try an elimination diet. Avoid all foods that contain garlic for a few days and note whether you have any headaches. If they don't go away, another food may be the cause. Try eliminating a different food on the migraine trigger list, or ask your doctor for assistance in identifying other potential trigger foods. If your doctor has prescribed garlic supplements and you believe them to be the cause of your headaches, discuss changing your dosage or switching to a different treatment at your next visit.
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