Artificial sweeteners and migraine
Artificial sweeteners have become a popular alternative to sugar in many diets, offering a low-calorie way to enjoy sweet-tasting foods and beverages. These sugar substitutes, found in products like diet sodas, sugar-free snacks, and some medications, have been a go-to for people looking to reduce calorie intake or manage conditions like diabetes. However, for individuals prone to migraine attacks, there’s growing concern that these sweeteners may be contributing to their headaches. In particular, aspartame and sucralose have been subjects of debate when it comes to their potential role in triggering migraines.
One of the most commonly studied artificial sweeteners linked to migraine is aspartame, found in a variety of low-calorie products. Research suggests that aspartame may trigger migraines in some individuals, possibly due to its impact on neurotransmitters in the brain. Some people report that consuming products containing aspartame can lead to the onset of a migraine within a few hours. While the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, it's believed that aspartame may interfere with serotonin levels or lead to increased excitability in the brain, which could contribute to migraine attacks.
Sucralose, another popular artificial sweetener found in products like Splenda, has also been mentioned by migraine sufferers. Though there is less research connecting sucralose to migraine compared to aspartame, some people report experiencing headaches after consuming products with this sweetener. It’s important to note that individual sensitivities vary, and not everyone will experience migraines after consuming artificial sweeteners. However, for those who are sensitive, cutting back on or eliminating these sweeteners may help reduce the frequency and severity of their migraine attacks.
Ultimately, the evidence is not conclusive whether artificial sweeteners are a cause of migraine or frequent headaches. If you suspect artificial sweeteners may be a trigger for your migraine attacks, keeping a headache diary can be a useful tool in tracking patterns. By noting what you eat and drink before a migraine episode, you can better identify potential triggers. Try an elimination diet and see if it makes any change in your headache frequency or severity. The treatment of migraines and other primary headache disorders involves a variety of approaches, with diet being a key area of focus. Click here to learn about other modalities of headache treatments.
References:
Patel RM, Sarma R, Grimsley E. Popular sweetner sucralose as a migraine trigger. Headache. 2006 Sep;46(8):1303-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00543_1.x.
Zaeem Z, Zhou L, Dilli E. Headaches: a Review of the Role of Dietary Factors. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016 Nov;16(11):101. doi: 10.1007/s11910-016-0702-1.