Latest news with #McMigraine
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
You MIGHT be able to cure migraines with a McDonald's, say experts
A particular McDonald's food and drink combination may be able to ease migraine symptoms, experts say. It comes after a video of a woman sampling the supposed headache cure - dubbed the McMigraine meal - went viral. Since then, hundreds of TikTok users have confirmed that the order - consisting of a large Coke and fries - can stop migraine symptoms 'immediately'. Although it might be a stretch to hail the sweet and salty combination as a miracle cure, the claim appears to have some truth to it. Dr Amanda Ellison, a professor in neuroscience at Durham University, told The Times caffeine, complex sugars, salt and carbohydrates all help to alleviate the symptoms of a severe headache. A large number of headaches are caused by the blood vessels around the brain dilating to increase oxygen flow, but caffeine will restrict these blood vessels, Ms Ellison explained. She added: 'The sugar helps because generally with any kind of pain, but also with migraine, your sugars are all over the place, your hormones are all over the place, your electrolytes are all over the place … and generally we see this with people with migraine a lot earlier than they actually have pain.' Since then hundreds of TikTok users have confirmed that the order - consisting of a large Coke and fries - can stop migraine symptoms 'immediately' (stock image) TikTok user @MillyHancockk's video went viral after she put the theory to the test. She captioned the clip: 'Trying McDonald's chips and a Diet Coke because I've had a headache for 48 hours and TikTok said it would help.' In the caption, she added: 'Can confirm it works' along with a laughing crying emoji. The TikToker, whose clip has been viewed nearly 4 million times, drew in hordes of commentators, many of whom came to confirm the hack works for them as well. One person commented: 'I work in neurology and our headache specialist literally recommends this to patients'. Another added: 'I know it's just the salt and caffeine but every time I have a migraine or even one coming on I get a coke and a fry and it's immediately cured'. A third explained: 'So basically Coke & fries help headaches because caffeine tightens blood vessels, sugar boost blood glucose, and salty carbs rebalance electrolytes.' Others suggested slight amendments to the hack. 'As a diet coke lover and migraine sufferer, diet won't do it you need the regular coke,' one said. 'Whoever told you Diet Coke was playing, it's gotta be a full fat and salty chips. Works everytime,' another added. But, although the meal might help ease a headache, it is unlikely that migraine sufferers would actually be able to stomach a large meal during the pain stage of a true migraine attack, according to Ms Ellison. And, there is also the potential for caffeine, salt and fast food to cause a migraine, David Walker, a headache specialist at Rush University Medical Center, told Verywell. 'It's great that this helps certain individuals. I don't think it should be generalized because on the flip side of things, fried foods can trigger migraines,' Walker said. Migraine v headache, how to tell the difference A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. It is a common health condition, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood. There are several types of migraine, some have warning signs such as flashing lights in vision others don't. Some people have migraines frequently, up to several times a week while others can have years between attacks. You should see a GP if you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms, classified by the NHS as on more than five days a month. The exact cause of migraines is unknown but they are thought be the result of temporary changes in the chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain. Some sufferers know certain triggers like particular food or drinks or stress can cause or increase the risk of a migraine. The NHS says there is no cure for migraines though certain medications and behaviour changes can reduce the symptoms or frequency of attacks.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
The McDonald's meal migraine-sufferers swear cures them ‘immediately'
Chronic migraine sufferers are lovin' it. A TikTok video claiming that a large Coke and fries from McDonald's is the be-all end-all solution to migraines has taken off online – with hundreds of people confirming the salty and sweet combo 'immediately' cures their worst headaches. 'Trying McDonald's chips and a Diet Coke because I've had a headache for 48 hours and TikTok said it would help,' TikTok user @MillyHancockk wrote alongside her now-viral clip. In the caption, she added: 'Can confirm it works' along with a laughing crying emoji. The TikToker, whose clip has been viewed nearly 4 million times, drew in hordes of commentators, many of whom came to confirm the hack works for them as well. 'I work in neurology and our headache specialist literally recommends this to patients,' one person commented. 'I know it's just the salt and caffeine but every time I have a migraine or even one coming on I get a coke and a fry and it's immediately cured,' another commentator added. Another explained: 'So basically Coke & fries help headaches because caffeine tightens blood vessels, sugar boost blood glucose, and salty carbs rebalance electrolytes.' Others offered slight alterations to the hack. 'As a diet coke lover and migraine sufferer, diet won't do it you need the regular coke,' one said, 'Whoever told you Diet Coke was playing, it's gotta be a full fat and salty chips. Works everytime,' another added. Dubbed the 'McMigraine meal' by some social media users, the much-loved combo is proven by experts to be effective in relieving migraine pain for some, Verywell Health reported. 'We know the caffeine can help migraines in the short-term therapy of them. So it isn't too surprising that the caffeine in Coca-Cola itself is helpful," David Walker, MD, a headache and facial pain specialist at Rush University Medical Center told Verywell. The carbonation of a Coca-Cola soda may also help settle the stomach for people who experience nausea when suffering from migraines, Walker added. While the hack works for some, experts warn that caffeine can also trigger migraine. Equally, the salt content in McDonald's fries could impact some migraine sufferers, Walker warned. "It's great that this helps certain individuals. I don't think it should be generalized because on the flip side of things, fried foods can trigger migraines," Walker said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
McDonald's fans say this meal combination ‘immediately' cures migraines
Chronic migraine sufferers are lovin' it. A TikTok video claiming that a large Coke and fries from McDonald's is the be-all end-all solution to migraines has taken off online – with hundreds of people confirming the salty and sweet combo 'immediately' cures their worst headaches. 'Trying McDonald's chips and a Diet Coke because I've had a headache for 48 hours and TikTok said it would help,' TikTok user @MillyHancockk wrote alongside her now-viral clip. In the caption, she added: 'Can confirm it works' along with a laughing crying emoji. The TikToker, whose clip has been viewed nearly 4 million times, drew in hordes of commentators, many of whom came to confirm the hack works for them as well. 'I work in neurology and our headache specialist literally recommends this to patients,' one person commented. 'I know it's just the salt and caffeine but every time I have a migraine or even one coming on I get a coke and a fry and it's immediately cured,' another commentator added. Another explained: 'So basically Coke & fries help headaches because caffeine tightens blood vessels, sugar boost blood glucose, and salty carbs rebalance electrolytes.' Others offered slight alterations to the hack. 'As a diet coke lover and migraine sufferer, diet won't do it you need the regular coke,' one said, 'Whoever told you Diet Coke was playing, it's gotta be a full fat and salty chips. Works everytime,' another added. Dubbed the 'McMigraine meal' by some social media users, the much-loved combo is proven by experts to be effective in relieving migraine pain for some, Verywell Health reported. 'We know the caffeine can help migraines in the short-term therapy of them. So it isn't too surprising that the caffeine in Coca-Cola itself is helpful," David Walker, MD, a headache and facial pain specialist at Rush University Medical Center told Verywell. The carbonation of a Coca-Cola soda may also help settle the stomach for people who experience nausea when suffering from migraines, Walker added. While the hack works for some, experts warn that caffeine can also trigger migraine. Equally, the salt content in McDonald's fries could impact some migraine sufferers, Walker warned. "It's great that this helps certain individuals. I don't think it should be generalized because on the flip side of things, fried foods can trigger migraines," Walker said.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
McDonald's fans say this meal combination ‘immediately' cures migraines
Chronic migraine sufferers are lovin' it. A TikTok video claiming that a large Coke and fries from McDonald's is the be-all end-all solution to migraines has taken off online – with hundreds of people confirming the salty and sweet combo 'immediately' cures their worst headaches. 'Trying McDonald's chips and a Diet Coke because I've had a headache for 48 hours and TikTok said it would help,' TikTok user @MillyHancockk wrote alongside her now-viral clip. In the caption, she added: 'Can confirm it works' along with a laughing crying emoji. The TikToker, whose clip has been viewed nearly 4 million times, drew in hordes of commentators, many of whom came to confirm the hack works for them as well. 'I work in neurology and our headache specialist literally recommends this to patients,' one person commented. 'I know it's just the salt and caffeine but every time I have a migraine or even one coming on I get a coke and a fry and it's immediately cured,' another commentator added. Another explained: 'So basically Coke & fries help headaches because caffeine tightens blood vessels, sugar boost blood glucose, and salty carbs rebalance electrolytes.' Others offered slight alterations to the hack. 'As a diet coke lover and migraine sufferer, diet won't do it you need the regular coke,' one said, 'Whoever told you Diet Coke was playing, it's gotta be a full fat and salty chips. Works everytime,' another added. Dubbed the 'McMigraine meal' by some social media users, the much-loved combo is proven by experts to be effective in relieving migraine pain for some, Verywell Health reported. 'We know the caffeine can help migraines in the short-term therapy of them. So it isn't too surprising that the caffeine in Coca-Cola itself is helpful," David Walker, MD, a headache and facial pain specialist at Rush University Medical Center told Verywell. The carbonation of a Coca-Cola soda may also help settle the stomach for people who experience nausea when suffering from migraines, Walker added. While the hack works for some, experts warn that caffeine can also trigger migraines for some. And while McDonald's fries may help provide electrolytes, the salt content could also be a trigger for some migraine sufferers, Walker warned. "It's great that this helps certain individuals. I don't think it should be generalized because on the flip side of things, fried foods can trigger migraines," Walker said.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The McDonald's Order TikTok Claims Can Cure Your Migraine
When you're hit with a debilitating headache or migraine, it can throw off your entire day. Throughout the years, chronic sufferers have tried everything to shake a bad migraine, from wrapping their heads in an ice helmet to drinking peppermint tea after dinner (since late afternoon is one of the most common times of day to get a migraine). With the power of the internet, remedies are being shared faster and more effectively than ever. Now, people on social media are claiming that a simple McDonald's order is the latest solution for migraine relief. According to a couple dozen users on TikTok, Coca-Cola and french fries can be a 'magical' cure for migraines, providing both relief and a tasty snack. User @strawberryvino commented, "Nothing has ever cured my migraine nausea like a coke and fry from McD's specifically." TikTok user @ added, "McDonald's could literally cure me of everything at this point." Others, like @elnoic, claim that the combination will "zap a migraine in minutes," and some commenters agree that it's become like a prescription for them. A Reddit thread discussing the hack shows users hypothesizing about the benefits of the McDonald's fry and Coca-Cola pairing. Reddit user annahhhnimous wrote, "A salty, high carb snack plus a caffeinated beverage can slow the progression or even stop [a migraine] in its tracks for me." For many migraine sufferers, any option that provides relief is a good solution. Read more: 16 Popular Donut Chains, Ranked If you break down the McMigraine order (as many users on social media have dubbed the combo), the meal includes a sugary, caffeinated beverage and a salty, starch-based snack. Nausea can be a common symptom of migraines, and many social media users claim the salty fries help soothe their stomachs. Some studies suggest fiber-rich foods, such as potatoes, could decrease the prevalence of headaches and migraines. One of the things you need to know about the salt on those fries is that it could be a solution to the headache itself. This is because some migraines are caused by a deficiency of minerals such as sodium. The caffeine in Coca-Cola could be another explanation for relief. Caffeine not only alters the taste of soft drinks, but research also shows that it can provide headache/migraine relief in small doses. When you have a migraine, your brain isn't feeling any physical pain but instead experiencing the discomfort of expanded blood vessels and increased blood flow. The caffeine in Coca-Cola might act as a vasoconstrictor, explaining the relief some users have expressed. Still, plenty of people are skeptical about the McMigraine concoction. Reddit user Bac7 says, "It's not going to be a miracle, but it can make some symptoms more manageable," while user CoomassieBlue says any relief "depends on the person." This trick could be the power of good old-fashioned comfort food, but for some, it shows McDonald's might have more to offer than just fast food. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
