- TikTok users are touting a migraine hack involving McDonald’s fries and a Coke to relieve their symptoms.
- Experts say the combination of salt, sugar, and caffeine may provide temporary relief from migraine.
- However, processed foods high in sodium, fat, and sugar may worsen migraine symptoms and contribute to long-term health problems.
- Several strategies may support migraine relief, such as magnesium and omega-3s.
If you’re one of them, you may have heard of the “McMigraine meal,” a proposed migraine relief hack trending on social media platforms like TikTok that involves consuming McDonald’s fries and a Coke.
A migraine is more than just a bad headache. It’s a complex neurological condition often accompanied by intense, throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea, which can be debilitating.
While there are medications available to prevent and treat migraine, they don’t work for everyone.
When a migraine attack hits, most people will do anything to feel better, even if it means consuming ultraprocessed foods like fries and a soda laden with sugar. Here’s how the McMigraine trend works, and what experts think about its supposed benefits.
Kezia Joy, registered dietitian and medical advisor at Welzo, said it’s important to distinguish between anecdotal evidence and clinical recommendations for any ailment, including migraine.
“Although the concept may be based on real-life experiences, it’s not grounded in clinical research. It may provide temporary solace for some, but it’s not something that should be in anyone’s regular or safe migraine treatment repertoire,” she told Healthline.
Likewise, specialist registered dietitian Nichola Ludlam-Raine agreed, cautioning that fries and a Coke are not a reliable treatment.
“While I completely understand that people living with migraine may be desperate to try anything that offers relief, this isn’t a strategy I’d recommend trying frequently from a nutritional or clinical perspective,” she told Healthline.
Many people have claimed a McMigraine meal helped relieve their migraine symptoms.
Is there any plausible scientific reason why salty fries and a sugary drink might offer temporary relief for some people with migraine?
Joy noted a few physiological reasons why someone might experience temporary relief after eating salty, high carb foods and drinking caffeine.
“Caffeine, which is present in Coke, constricts blood vessels, and in some forms of migraines, it can relieve pain,” Joy explained.
“At the same time, high-salt or high-carbohydrate foods may aid in correcting a mild electrolyte or blood sugar imbalance,” she continued.
“If a person has missed a meal or is just a little dehydrated, the fries and soda may provide temporary relief.”
Ludlam-Raine shared a similar synopsis of the potential benefits of a McMigraine meal.
“Migraines can be triggered or worsened by low blood sugar, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalances, and so salty fries may help the body retain fluid, while the caffeine and sugar in a Coke could raise blood sugar and offer a quick boost in alertness or energy,” she pointed out.
Ultimately, though, Ludlam-Raine said the benefits are likely to be short-lived and won’t address the root cause of the problem.
In fact, for some people with migraine, the combination of salt, sugar, and caffeine could worsen their symptoms.
“High-fat and salt foods can be problematic for others, especially if their migraines are linked to dietary triggers or underlying conditions like high blood pressure,” Ludlam-Raine noted.
The potential to worsen migraine symptoms aside, there are other risks to consider when using unhealthy foods as a migraine cure.
“If consuming it becomes habitual, it can create inflammation in the body, which in turn, can make headaches worse over time.”
There are other long-term health risks to consider, too.
“Relying on fast food regularly may contribute to long-term health issues like weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and poor gut health, all of which can potentially worsen migraine frequency or severity,” Ludlam-Raine said.
Additionally, it may discourage people from addressing triggers and other factors that contribute to migraine attacks.”
“Excessive reliance on fast food as a fix can also skirt any underlying health issues that need to be diagnosed and treated,” Joy pointed out.
“Relying on it instead of seeking out treatments that work and are sustainable isn’t good. It’s also important to see food in the context of your entire lifestyle, not as a quick fix.”
There are many strategies for managing a migraine that don’t involve ordering from a McDonald’s drive-thru.
Joy said there are some specific nutrients you should look out for, such as magnesium. “It’s present in leafy greens and nuts, is involved in nerve functions, and can
Other nutrients may offer some relief from migraine as well.
According to Ludlam-Raine, other ways to prevent and manage migraine include:
- staying hydrated throughout the day
- eating regular, balanced meals that include slow-release carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to maintain steady blood sugar levels
- avoiding specific triggers like aged cheese, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners
- keeping a food and symptom diary to identify personal patterns
While certain wellness strategies can help prevent migraine, they may not be able to stop one in progress, which could explain why some people have turned to a McMigraine meal for relief.
Clinical treatment for a migraine generally involves both acute and preventive options.
Migraine symptoms can be debilitating, and when they strike, it may be tempting to seek the quickest and most convenient intervention. For some, that might be McDonald’s fries and a Coke.
Still, it’s important to note that migraine triggers are highly individual. What works for one person might worsen symptoms in another, and there are other evidence-based treatments available.
