Understanding What Drinks Make Migraines Worse?

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Migraine Foundation, up to one-third of people with migraines report alcohol as a trigger. Understanding what drinks make migraines worse is a crucial step in managing and reducing the frequency of attacks by identifying your personal dietary triggers.

Quick Summary

This article explores common beverages, from alcohol and caffeinated drinks to those with artificial sweeteners, that can trigger migraines. We discuss how to identify personal triggers, common culprits like dehydration and tyramine, and offer guidance on safer drink alternatives to help manage symptoms.

Key Points

Alcohol is a Common Trigger: Red wine, in particular, is often reported as a trigger due to compounds like tyramine and histamines.
Caffeine Has a Dual Role: While it can relieve headaches, overuse and sudden withdrawal are significant migraine triggers.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners: Chemicals like aspartame in diet sodas are potential triggers for sensitive individuals and can disrupt brain chemistry.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is a very common trigger that can be easily overlooked. Drinking plenty of water is a simple preventative measure.
Be Mindful of Additives: Look out for MSG and other additives in processed beverages and foods, which can cause migraines in susceptible people.
Opt for Safer Alternatives: Water, herbal teas (ginger, peppermint), and fruit-infused water are generally safe and can help with hydration and symptom management.

Common Migraine-Triggering Beverages

For many migraine sufferers, identifying and avoiding dietary triggers is key to managing their condition. While some food and drink triggers are widely reported, individual sensitivities can vary greatly. A beverage that causes a severe attack for one person may have no effect on another. Keeping a meticulous migraine diary, tracking what you consume and when attacks occur, can help pinpoint your unique triggers.

Alcohol: A Frequent Offender

Alcohol is one of the most commonly reported migraine triggers, with some studies suggesting it affects up to a third of migraine patients. The mechanism isn't fully understood, but it's likely multi-faceted. Alcohol can lead to dehydration, disrupt blood sugar levels, and contains various compounds that can affect neurotransmitters. The specific type of alcohol also plays a role:

Red Wine: Often cited as a primary culprit, red wine contains compounds like tyramine and histamines, which can act as triggers in susceptible individuals. Tannins in red wine may also contribute by altering serotonin levels.
Other Alcoholic Beverages: Any alcohol can potentially trigger a migraine. Other drinks with high levels of congeners (by-products of fermentation) like whiskey, or drinks with histamine like some beers, can also be problematic.

The Caffeine Conundrum

Caffeine has a paradoxical relationship with migraines; it can both relieve and trigger them.

As a Trigger: Overuse of caffeine, consuming more than 200 mg daily (about two standard cups of coffee), has been linked to an increased risk of chronic daily headaches. For some sensitive individuals, even small amounts can trigger an attack.
As a Rebound Trigger: Sudden caffeine withdrawal is a well-known trigger for migraines, leading to a "rebound" headache. Regular consumers should wean themselves off slowly if they decide to quit.
As a Treatment: Many over-the-counter and prescription migraine medications contain caffeine because it can boost the pain-relieving effects of analgesics.

Artificial Sweeteners and Food Additives

Artificial sweeteners and other additives found in many drinks are potential migraine triggers for some people.

Artificial Sweeteners: Aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin are commonly found in "diet" and "sugar-free" beverages, like diet soda. For those who are sensitive, these additives are believed to disrupt neurotransmitters or alter gut bacteria, leading to a migraine.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): MSG is an excitatory amino acid that can be added to some drinks and many packaged foods. It can cause blood vessel dilation and activate pain pathways in the brain, triggering migraines in sensitive individuals.

Dehydration: A Subtle Yet Powerful Trigger

Not drinking enough fluids is a very common cause of migraines and headaches. Dehydration can lead to a drop in blood volume, which temporarily causes the brain to shrink and pull away from the skull, causing pain. Staying consistently hydrated is one of the simplest yet most effective preventative strategies. For migraine sufferers, simply drinking water can sometimes alleviate symptoms.

The Problem with Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are a double-edged sword for migraineurs. They combine high levels of caffeine with other additives, including artificial sweeteners and sugars. This potent mix can be a recipe for a migraine attack, either from the initial caffeine overload or from a subsequent crash or withdrawal. The added sugars can also cause blood sugar fluctuations, another recognized trigger.

Comparison of Drinks and Their Migraine Risk

To help navigate your choices, here is a comparison of drinks that may trigger migraines versus those that are generally considered safer.


Drink Category	Potential Migraine Triggers	Typically Safer Alternatives
Alcohol	Red wine, whiskey, beer with high histamine, aged liquors	Clear distilled spirits (in moderation, if tolerated), non-alcoholic versions
Caffeine	Excessive coffee, black tea, energy drinks, soda, sudden withdrawal	Small, consistent amounts of green or herbal tea; gradually tapering intake
Sweetened Beverages	Diet soda with aspartame/sucralose, sugary juices, energy drinks	Water, fruit-infused water, natural juices in moderation
Fermented Drinks	Kombucha, some soy-based drinks, miso soup (contain tyramine)	Fresh juices, natural coconut water
Other	Some packaged broths (MSG), excessive orange or citrus juice	Water, herbal teas (ginger, peppermint, chamomile), diluted juices

Safe Drink Alternatives and Best Practices

Instead of focusing solely on what to avoid, consider incorporating these safer options into your daily routine:

Water: The most fundamental beverage for preventing dehydration-related migraines. Aim for consistent intake throughout the day.
Herbal Teas: Options like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile have anti-inflammatory and calming properties that may help manage symptoms. Ginger tea, in particular, is noted for helping with nausea.
Fruit-Infused Water: Add slices of cucumber, mint, or small amounts of migraine-safe fruits like blueberries to water for flavor without added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Electrolyte Drinks: For those who sweat heavily or are prone to dehydration, unsweetened or sugar-free electrolyte drinks without artificial additives can help maintain fluid balance and replenish minerals like magnesium. Some formulations also include magnesium and other beneficial nutrients.
Naturally Decaffeinated Coffee or Tea: If you enjoy the ritual, opting for naturally decaffeinated versions can help. However, still monitor for any lingering sensitivity.

Conclusion: Your Personal Path to Prevention

While common patterns exist, identifying your personal migraine triggers, including which drinks to avoid, requires a mindful and systematic approach. The most impactful changes often involve avoiding key offenders like certain types of alcohol, managing caffeine intake carefully, and staying well-hydrated. An elimination diet can be useful for those with unknown triggers. Keeping a detailed food and beverage diary is one of the most effective tools to understand how your body reacts. By prioritizing fresh, whole foods and hydrating appropriately, you can take significant steps toward reducing the frequency and severity of your migraine attacks.

For more resources on migraine management, visit the American Migraine Foundation website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for many people, red wine is a significant migraine trigger. It contains compounds like tyramine and histamines that can affect blood vessels and neurotransmitters. However, individual sensitivity varies.

For some individuals, yes. Many diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which have been identified as a potential trigger. Keeping a headache diary can help determine if diet soda is a trigger for you.

Caffeine's role is complex. It can be used to treat a migraine by enhancing pain relief, but excessive daily intake or sudden withdrawal can also trigger an attack. The key is to monitor your individual response.

Yes, dehydration is a common and often overlooked migraine trigger. A lack of fluids can affect blood flow to the brain, which can initiate a headache or migraine attack.

Energy drinks are a potential trigger due to their combination of high caffeine content, artificial sweeteners, and sugar. This can cause a caffeine overload or subsequent crash that can trigger a migraine.

Tyramine is a naturally occurring compound found in fermented foods and beverages like aged cheeses, cured meats, and some wines and beers. It can act as a trigger by affecting blood vessel dilation and neurotransmitter release in susceptible individuals.

Staying hydrated with water is most important. Herbal teas like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile can also offer soothing, anti-inflammatory benefits. Some people also find unsweetened electrolyte drinks helpful.