How To Stop Headaches: Best Foods To Ease The Pounding Pain

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There's no such thing as a good time for headaches and as easy as it is to pop a painkiller, it is inevitable to go through some of the searing pain until they kick in.

Did you know that some simple diet changes could soothe, and even prevent headaches?

HuffPost Healthy Living have highlighted six headache-friendly foods - and they're probably already on your shopping list.

Best Foods For Headaches

Spinach(01 of06)

As if you needed another convincing reason to eat your greens, consider this: Those of the leafy variety are rich in riboflavin, a type of B vitamin that has been linked to preventing migraines. (credit:Flickr:cherrylet)

Fatty Fish(02 of06)

Those potent omega-3 fatty acids are at it again. Their anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the pain of chronic headaches, and the benefit is enhanced when dietary omega-6 fatty acids -- found in many food oils -- are simultaneously reduced, according to a 2013 study. (credit:Getty Images)

Watermelon(03 of06)

If your headache is dehydration-related, you're likely to reach for some H₂O, stat. But foods with a sky-high water content like watermelon or cucumbers can also help. We get about 20 percent of our daily water intake from food, but watermelon also offers essential minerals you lose when you're dehydrated like magnesium and potassium. (credit:Flickr:Forest & Kim)

Potatoes(04 of06)

Speaking of potassium: The mineral can treat headaches, and we're often lacking when we're dehydrated. Despite the banana's high-potassium reputation, a medium baked spud (with the skin) packs 926 milligrams of the stuff, more than double what's found in a banana. (credit:Getty Images)

Honorable Mention: Caffeine(05 of06)

As long as you don't overdo it, caffeine may actually help headaches. Many headache medications contain a small dose, because it helps the body absorb those drugs faster, according to WebMD.

However, become too reliant on your tea or java and you risk rebound or withdrawal headaches when you come down from your caffeinated "high." These are likely if you're consuming 500 milligrams or more of caffeine a day, according to Everyday Health, about the equivalent of five cups of coffee. (credit:Flickr:e.c.johnson)

Honorable Mention: Almonds(06 of06)

A small body of research has examined the importance of magnesium when it comes to treating migraines, without many concrete findings. The authors of a 2012 comment published in the Journal of Neural Transmission write that while magnesium seems to offer some potential in migraine prevention, there's little to suggest it would help mid-headache. Because it's relatively safe, they don't caution against it, but merely warn there's not enough evidence yet to assume all headache sufferers will benefit. Should you opt to go the magnesium route, almonds are a good bet, with 80 milligrams per serving. (credit:Shutterstock)

See Also:
Here's How To Ward Off Headaches
Leading Neurologist Says Grains Are Bad For Your Brain - Can Lead To Chronic Headaches

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