Many people notice that drinking coffee reduces headache. But for migraine patients, coffee can sometimes trigger sudden intense pain making it a well-known migraine trigger for years. However, a recent study presents the exact opposite conclusion. A Chinese research paper published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition claims that drinking larger quantities of coffee regularly may significantly reduce the risk of migraine attacks. The study found the greatest benefit among those who experience migraine accompanied by ‘aura’.
What is an aura?
Doctors explain that nearly 30% of migraine patients experience symptoms like temporary blackout, tingling sensations in the limbs, and extreme sensitivity to light, smell, and sound before or during an attack. Many also face indigestion and acidity. The study suggests that coffee works best for this specific group.
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The research was conducted by eight scientists from Nanchang University in China. Their aim wasn’t limited to migraines, they examined how coffee affects several neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and more.
They wanted to determine how effective coffee’s high caffeine content is in controlling pain, spasms, and movement issues. After a decade-long survey of nearly 40,000 people, the study concluded that while coffee showed limited impact on other neurological diseases, it helped significantly in reducing migraine frequency.
But simply drinking coffee is not enough. Neurologist Animesh Kar explains, “The study found that patients need around 200 grams of coffee daily for meaningful improvement. The smaller quantities usually consumed in India might not offer the same results.”
Pain management specialist Debanjali Ray adds, “The effectiveness of caffeine is well-known. That’s why many migraine medicines combine paracetamol with caffeine. Caffeine helps reduce dilation of blood vessels.”
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Experts also point out a limitation that the study population was primarily European. So the effect of coffee on Americans, Africans, or Asians remains uncertain. Although tea also contains caffeine, the quantity is significantly lower.
A large mug of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine, while tea offers not more than 50 mg. So tea is unlikely to help with migraine relief. But doctors also acknowledge that drinking 200 grams of coffee daily is not a common habit in India, raising doubts about whether most people can follow such a regimen.
