12 Foods to Help Get Rid of a Headache or Migraine Attack Naturally

Coffee contains caffeine, which is added to some types of headache medications. But you can get too much of a good thing; coffee may lead to “caffeine rebound” or a caffeine withdrawal headache, according to the National Headache Foundation.

A cup of coffee is a quick fix for this type of headache, says Brown. “It’s important to remember that caffeine can stay in your system for up to five hours,” she says. For some people, this may lead to an afternoon headache once their morning cup of coffee wears off, she adds.

If your caffeine consumption is causing withdrawal headaches, you might try cutting down by drinking “half caff” or decaffeinated coffee, suggests Brown. “Even decaf coffee has some caffeine in it,” she adds.

Everyone wants to hear that chocolate can help a caffeine withdrawal headache, says Brown with a laugh. “Some people believe chocolate is a food group all its own,” she says.

According to ConsumerLab.com, an independent company that tests health and nutrition products, most dark chocolates have about 40 to 50 milligrams of caffeine per 1½ ounce serving, which is about the same amount you would get in a cup of green tea and about half the amount in a cup of regular brewed coffee. So depending on the person, a serving of dark chocolate might be enough to ease a caffeine withdrawal headache.

Dark chocolate is also a good source of magnesium, according to the Cleveland Clinic.