For years, people have blamed chocolate, red wine, and other so-called “unhealthy” foods for triggering migraines.
But according to Aleksander Chaibi, a chiropractor, physiotherapist, and senior researcher at the University of Oslo, this is nothing more than a persistent myth.
“The idea that chocolate or red wine causes migraines is based on misconceptions, not science,” Chaibi tells the magazine NHI.NO.
He points out that while this belief is widely shared online and on social media, there is little scientific evidence to support it.
Cravings, Not Triggers
Migraine attacks develop in phases, and the first stage—known as the prodromal phase—often causes food cravings.
This is where the misunderstanding begins.
“Let’s say someone experiences two migraines a month,” Chaibi explains. “During the prodromal phase, they may feel tired, irritable, and suddenly crave chocolate. If they eat chocolate at that moment and then get a migraine two hours later, it’s easy to assume the chocolate was to blame.”
But in reality, the migraine was already on its way—the craving was just an early symptom. Over time, if enough people notice this pattern and discuss it, the belief that chocolate is a trigger gets reinforced.
To challenge this myth, Chaibi has conducted simple tests with his patients.
He asks them to eat chocolate 48 hours after a migraine attack, when they are not in the prodromal phase.
The result? No migraine follows—proving that chocolate itself is not the cause.
Do Any Foods Trigger Migraines?
When asked if any foods or drinks are proven migraine triggers, Chaibi is clear: “No, that’s a misunderstanding.”
He explains that patients often associate their migraine with whatever they craved before the attack, creating a false link between the two.
“This is important for emotional well-being,” he adds. “If people believe they must avoid beer or red wine for the rest of their lives, it can negatively affect their quality of life.”
What Actually Affects Migraines?
According to Chaibi, only two scientifically documented factors influence migraines.
The first one is pregnancy. Many women experience fewer migraines during pregnancy, especially those who suffer from migraines without aura. In fact, 67% of women improve during pregnancy.
The other is depression. Research shows a higher frequency of migraines in individuals with depression.
Chaibi emphasizes that pregnancy could actually be the best "treatment" for some migraine sufferers. “Many women fear pregnancy because they worry they won’t be able to take medication, but for most, pregnancy actually reduces migraine attacks.”
