Is it true that spicy food can treat migraine headaches?

Do you like spicy food? For some people who like to eat spicy food, these foods are considered to be able to cure some health symptoms, such as headaches, migraines, or flu. Then is it true that spicy food can relieve you from headaches or migraines that attack? How does the body respond to the spicy feeling that is felt until the pain goes away?

Spicy food can treat headaches and migraines, is it true?

Maybe you already know that the spicy taste you feel so far is actually the pain and heat felt on your tongue due to the capsaicin substance contained in chilies. Capsaicin is what stimulates the feeling of "pain" and heat, so that your tongue feels a taste known as spicy. Although not part of the four basic tastes - sweet, bitter, salty, and sour - the spicy taste is loved by many.

Even spicy food is used as a mainstay menu when they are attacked by migraines or headaches. And believe it or not it has been proven in several studies. One study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, showed that consuming hot, spicy soup can reduce pain and migraines that attack the head.

Eating spicy food can boost your immune system

In a journal Nature Chemical Biology, explained how the body responds to the spicy taste that is obtained from food. The journal states that eating spicy food will cause the same response when the body experiences injury, inflammation, or infection due to bacteria. Thus, the body will naturally release all its "weapons" to heal and overcome any inflammation or infection that occurs.

Then, your immune system will increase immediately after eating spicy food, because all your body knows is how to suppress pain - what you call spicy taste - with your immune system.

Capsaicin in spicy foods can suppress pain

Mentioned in the Journal of Headache and Pain, when consuming food with a spicy taste, the nerves of the tongue will send a spicy taste signal - in the form of pain and heat - to the brain. Then those who receive this hot taste signal are called transient receptor potencial (TRP). This part of the brain plays a role in stimulating various sensations, such as sensations of heat, pain, cold, and warmth.

With this part of the brain, your body can know the ambient temperature and various tastes. Meanwhile, when the pain strikes, such as a migraine, this active TRP will suppress the pain from appearing, so that your pain is lessened.

But that doesn't mean you can continue to eat spicy food to deal with your headaches. Eating too much spicy food is also not good for your stomach and intestines. If indeed you always feel pain and migraines, it's a good idea to see a doctor and confirm your health condition.