A new U.S. study finds that eating too much salt can trigger headaches, and reducing salt intake can lower the chance of headaches by one-third. The salt in your kitchen can give you headaches.
In the new study, Dr. Lawrence Appel of Johns Hopkins University and his colleagues studied 400 participants. Researchers randomly divided the participants into three groups: a fruits and vegetables low-fat diet group, a low-fat dairy group, and a typical Western diet group (the control group).
The study period was divided into three phases. In the first phase, participants consumed 9 grams of salt per day. In the second phase, salt intake was reduced to 6 grams, and in the final phase, daily salt intake was reduced to 3 grams. Researchers also surveyed participants about headaches, bloating, dry mouth, thirst, fatigue or weakness, nausea, and altered taste during each phase. The results showed that reducing daily salt intake from 9 grams to 3 grams lowered the chance of headaches by 31%. The study also found that even among people with normal blood pressure, reducing salt intake could decrease the likelihood of headaches.
Dr. Appel analyzed that eating less salt reduces the chance of headache attacks because less salt can lower blood pressure and vascular pressure. 3 grams of salt is equivalent to half a teaspoon, or the amount of salt in a McDonald's Big Mac burger or a large portion of french fries. Dr. Appel also stated that the results of this new study show that reducing dietary sodium intake is a new way to prevent headaches.