The role of diet in migraine control: deconstructing myths

Introduction: Migraine can be controlled through effective drug treatments, both during headache attacks, as a preventative measure, but also through non-drug treatments, including diet therapy. This treatment consists of eliminating food triggers and adding improvement factors. Objective: To address the role of diet in controlling migraine, through the elimination of food triggers and the addition of improvement factors, in addition to demystifying some mistaken behaviors. Method: This study was an integrative and retrospective review of articles on the relationship between food and migraine. Results: Three relationships were found between diet and migraine attacks: 1) food may be a triggering factor; 2) food may be a mitigating factor; or 3) food may be an aggravating factor. There is no specific diet therapy for migraine, but diets that are based on the pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine. Conclusions: Food can be a trigger or a factor in improving migraine attacks and diet therapy for controlling migraine consists of removing food triggers and replacing them with a healthy diet.