Low fat diet may reduce migraine headache

"The beauty of these diets is that they not only reduce headaches, but may produce weight loss and prevent heart disease," said Associate Professor Brinder Vij from the University of Cincinnati, US.

There have been three comprehensive diets so far whose very composition may prevent headaches, the study suggests.

These include low fat and low carbohydrate diets and those that increase the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids and decreases the Omega-6 fatty acids.

"Low fat diets restrict the amount of fat in the diet to less than 20 per cent of your daily energy requirements," said Vij.

"Low carbohydrate diets such as ketogenic diets can reduce headache frequency, but should not be considered without strict supervision. The diet limits carbohydrates more than the well-known Atkins diet," Vij added.

More than 180 studies on the subject of migraine and diet were reviewed for the purpose.

According to this study, published in The Journal of Head and Face Pain, withdrawal of caffeine by regular drinkers may also trigger headache. 

Alcohol, too, especially vodka and red wine are also common dietary triggers for migraine.

Besides, Monosodium glutamate, which is a flavour enhancer used in a variety of processed foods -- canned foods, soups, snack foods, salad dressing, seasoning salts, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and heavily in Chinese cooking.