Other studies have found that higher salt intake is associated with fewer migraine headaches.
This article looks at some of the research into the effects of a low-salt diet on chronic headaches.
It also offers information about healthy salt intake, which offers benefits beyond any link between salt and headaches.
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The study included 390 adults over the age of 21 with eitherpre-hypertensionor stage 1hypertension.
Participants were randomly assigned to follow either a salt-rich diet or a low-salt diet known as the DASH diet.
A similar 2016 study looked at the relationship between sodium intake and headaches in 975 older adults with hypertension.
Salt and Migraine Headaches
Other studies have examined the relationship between salt intake and migraine headaches.
A 2015 study followed 650 people with migraines over a period of six months.
It found that people who decreased their carbohydrate consumption and increased their salt intake had fewer migraines.
A 2021 paper also found a relationship between migraines and salt intake.
The 262 participants in the study were between the ages of 20 and 50 and had a migraine diagnosis.
Salt intake was measured with a urine sample.
Researchers concluded that higher salt levels corresponded to longer, more severe migraine headaches.
Study Limitations
There were some problems with these studies.
For example, its possible that people with migraines may simply crave salt when theyre experiencing headaches.
How Much Salt Should You Consume?
Participants in these studies reported longer, more severe headaches with greater dietary salt intake.
This will help your kidneys produce more urine to flush the salt out.
Excess salt intake can affect blood pressure very quickly.
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