Higher Dietary Fiber Intake Tied to lower Incidence of Migraine

The data on the effect of dietary fiber on severe headaches or migraine are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between dietary fiber intake and the prevalence of severe headaches or migraine.

They conducted a cross-sectional study involving 12,710 participants, all data collected from NHANES 1999–2004. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between dietary fiber intake (as an independent variable) and severe headaches or migraine (as outcome variable). We also performed sensitivity analyses, including multiple sensitivity analyses.

Results:

• The overall incidence of severe headache or migraine in the study was 2527/12,710 (19.9%).

• After adjusting for correlation covariates, they found a significant inverse association between dietary fiber intake and severe headache or migraine, with lowest prevalence in the fifth quintile

• The study also revealed that for every 10 g/day increase in dietary fiber intake, the prevalence of severe headache or migraine decreased by 11%.

• However, no such inverse association was found among Mexican Americans, other races, or those with a body mass index (BMI) of 25–30.

• E-value analysis suggested robustness to unmeasured confounding.

Increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods might protect from severe headache or migraine. More prospective studies should be conducted to confirm their association before dietary recommendations.

Reference:

Hao Huang and Kaiyin He.The association between dietary fiber intake and severe headaches or migraine in US adults. Front. Nutr., 04 January 2023 Sec. Clinical Nutrition. Volume 9 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1044066