Headache Relief For Sugar

What Is a Sugar Headache?

Reducing the amount of sugar you consume usually isn’t a bad idea. Eating refined grains or foods with added sugars provides almost no nutritive value and can raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But most people know that abruptly eliminating sugar from the diet can trigger headaches—sometimes called ‘sugar withdrawal’ or a ‘sugar headache.’ What causes a headache from sugar withdrawal? Get the facts about how too little—or too much—sugar in your bloodstream can cause your head to throb. The Connection Between Sugar and Headache The body requires glucose (a type of sugar) to manage virtually every vital function. The body converts the carbohydrates and sugars you eat into glucose, which provides energy to the cells to carry out their tasks. Some cells and organs also use other types of fuel, such as fat, but the brain powers itself exclusively on glucose. If your blood glucose level becomes too high or too low, it can affect certain hormones that cause the blood vessels in your brain to constrict or dilate and cause a headache. You can think of a sugar headache as the brain’s warning signal that something is amiss with your blood sugar level.

Is Your Headache Due to Too Much Blood Sugar—or Too Little?

The pain of a blood sugar headache feels the same whether it’s triggered by too much blood glucose or too little. How can you tell the difference? The best way to approach this is to review what you’ve eaten for the day. A headache caused by hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) often comes on suddenly,  after not eating for an extended period of time.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Confusion or loss of consciousness (passing out)

Dizziness

Headache

Shaking

Weakness

How to Avoid Sugar Headaches

Whether you have diabetes or not, you can manage your diet to avoid developing a headache after sugar consumption. Try these strategies: Avoid sugar binges. Remember that sugar exists in many foods—and in alcohol. To avoid a sugar headache, don’t binge on candy, desserts or cocktails. Drink plenty of water. Adequate hydration can help your body eliminate excessive glucose from the bloodstream. Eat complex carbohydrates instead of simple ones. Simple carbohydrates like refined grains, potatoes and table sugar cause insulin levels to spike, which can lead to headache. To avoid that, aim to eat more complex carbohydrates like fresh vegetables and whole grains. Complex carbs take longer to digest and don’t dramatically raise insulin levels.