In the US alone, more than 38 million people suffer with migraines, with 2-3 million migraines sufferers describing their conditions as chronic. Migraines are more common in women (18 per cent suffer versus six per cent in men), those aged between 35 and 55 years, Caucasians and those from lower socio-economic status groups.
Headaches are generally more common than migraines, and most adults would have experienced a headache at one point. Diet has been found to play a big role in both headaches and migraines. Certain foods have been found to cause migraines, while other foods can prevent or treat them. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, research conducted by the Journal of Headache and Pain found that a plant-based diet reduces migraine pain. It is believed this may be from the elimination of dietary pain triggers like meat and dairy products, or from weight loss and hormonal changes prompted by a vegan diet.