In 2025, a life hack to combat migraine attacks became popular on social networks: at the first suspicion, you need to eat a portion of French fries and wash it down with cola. We checked whether this advice is scientifically sound.
An unusual folk remedy for migraines became went viral on TikTok in May, it also discussed users of other social networks and blogging platforms. Notes that cola and French fries can help with migraines were released by Russian federal Media And portals about health. The potential benefits of such a combination explained the presence of caffeine, salt and sugar in these products. However, the recipe appeared several years ago - for example, it was talked about on the websites of specialized non-profit organizations in UK And Australia.
Migraine is a complex neurological disease, manifested in the form of attacks of headache lasting from several hours to several days, often one-sided and throbbing. Attacks are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sounds, and in some cases, visual, sensory and speech disturbances (collectively called an aura). Migraine suffers approximately every tenth person on the planet, women and urban residents are more susceptible to the disease than others.
To typical migraine triggers include stress, hormonal changes, sleep disturbances, weather changes, bright lights and strong smells, and certain foods and drinks (such as alcohol and chocolate).
To stop attacks they can apply special medications, as well as non-drug methods: rest in a dark, quiet room, cold compresses, adherence to sleep and diet. However, there are no universal remedies, so is underway development of new methods to combat migraine - for example, remote electrical neuromodulation. As part of prevention, people suffering from migraines are advised to avoid known triggers, exercise regularly and take medications as indicated.
“Verified” found no studies in the scientific literature confirming that consuming cola and French fries at the same time helps prevent or alleviate a migraine attack. The combined effect of these products on the well-being of people suffering from this disease has not been studied in principle. However, in this set it is possible to identify the key components and analyze how each of them affects the body of a person with migraine. So, in cola it is caffeine and sugar, and in french fries it is salt and saturated fat.
Let's start with caffeine. Scientific data on its ability to provoke or relieve migraine attacks is contradictory. Scientists from the Polish Nicolaus Copernicus University published a systematic review in 2020, in which turned on 28 studies on this topic. It turned out that different experiments on the relationship between caffeine consumption (or refusal to use) and the frequency of attacks show rather heterogeneous results. Moreover, as a means of combating an attack that has already occurred, this substance has demonstrated high effectiveness, especially in combination with painkillers. At the same time, in 2023, scientists from China installedthat coffee may reduce the risk of developing both regular migraine and migraine with aura.
As researchers explain, caffeine can help with migraines thanks to its immediate several mechanisms impact. Firstly, during an attack, blood vessels dilate, and caffeine stimulates the reverse process - vasoconstriction. Secondly, it blocks adenosine receptors and thereby reduces pain. Finally, it improves gastrointestinal motility and thereby promotes better absorption of pain medications.
The second component of cola that could theoretically affect migraine attacks is sugar, which is contained in the drink. contained there is plenty (in a jar with a capacity of 330 ml - 35 g). Fluctuations in blood sugar levels are one of the frequently cited nutritional triggers migraines, that is, both periods of fasting and reactive hypoglycemia that occur after consuming large amounts of carbohydrates or sweets can lead to an imbalance of the sympathetic nervous system and, therefore, an attack. For people suffering from migraines, doctors recommend maintaining stable blood glucose levels for prevention.
It turns out that cola is a very controversial drink for combating migraines. The caffeine contained in the drink is likely to help someone, but on the contrary, it will only worsen the condition of others. A sharp jump in glucose will not have any therapeutic effect; rather, on the contrary, it will provoke or intensify pain. Therefore, it is better for people suffering from migraines to choose drinks with reduced sugar content.
Let's move on to the fries. Scientists show that eating fried foods increases the risk of developing migraines. Yes, Lebanese study 2022 found that people who eat fast food more than twice a week have a 1.36 times higher risk. Similar results in 2020, Egyptian scientists received: those who often eat fried and salty foods are more likely to suffer from chronic migraines than to consult a doctor with episodic attacks. Experts attribute this to the fact that fried foods increased content of omega-6 fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. They promote the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, which, in turn, increase the body’s sensitivity to pain. American study 2023 demonstrated that migraine patients who decreased their intake of omega-6 fatty acids while increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty acids had fewer and less severe headaches.
French fries are not only quite fatty, but also very salty. At the same time, excessive consumption of table salt can also be a risk factor for migraines - it influences for renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (which regulates blood pressure and vascular resistance), increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and disrupts the functioning of the endothelium (the layer of cells lining the inner surface of blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as the cavities of the heart). This leads to vasoconstriction, which is considered one of the key links in the pathogenesis of migraine. In 2022, Iranian researchers studied analyzed the urine of migraine patients and found that the more sodium in the samples, indicating salt intake, the longer and more severe the attacks were. Researchers notethat people following a diet with a reduced amount of salt in the diet experience headaches less often, and the headache itself is less pronounced. It is noted that migraine can also develop if you give up salt too abruptly, becoming a kind of manifestation of withdrawal syndrome.
It turns out that French fries, like other fried and salty foods, in the vast majority of cases are more likely to contribute to the appearance or intensification of a migraine than to help cope with an attack. Such a dish can relieve symptoms only if the headache appears as part of the withdrawal syndrome due to an excessively sharp refusal of salt in the diet.
Nutritionist Nicola Ludlam-Rayne, in a comment to HealthLine, admits that for some people, combining cola with fries may help with migraines, but warns: “Regular consumption of fast food may contribute to the development of long-term health problems... which together can increase the frequency and severity of migraines.” High sugar levels in cola connected at risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, caries, and excess caffeine - with violations sleep and anxiety. Saturated fat and salt in French fries also increase cardiovascular risk diseases, hypertension, obesity and metabolic violations. Dr Kay Kennis from the British non-profit organization Migraine Trust notesthat French fries also contain tyramine, a compound that causes blood vessels to constrict and thus can cause severe migraines. The expert generally agrees that caffeine can help cope with pain, but advises not to get it from fast food.
Thus, the recommendation to eat French fries and drink them with cola to relieve or prevent a migraine attack is controversial, to say the least. Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, caffeine from cola can either relieve or provoke an attack, but sugar is more likely to increase pain. Saturated fats from French fries are also more likely to make headaches worse, and large doses of salt will only reduce headaches in those who have abruptly given up the product.
Cover image: by MOISES RIBEIRO
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