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| - Last Updated on July 30, 2025 by Dr. Saumya Saluja
Quick Take
A well-known Instagram post proposes using food items in place of prescribed medications for headaches and memory issues. After verifying the claim, we found that it is absolutely false.
The Claim
A popular Instagram reel by parveen_udaan with the caption दवाइयों का विकल्प आपकी रसोई मे रखा है promotes kitchen ingredients for several health-related issues. According to the post, people who have bad headaches should consume bananas, forgetful individuals with memory issues should drink more milk, dry-haired people should have capsicum, curd is the option for the ones dealing with bloating, and stressed people may take green tea.
Fact Check
Why do headaches occur?
Headaches are among the most prevalent and severe medical conditions, affecting around 95% of the population at some point in their lives. This type of pain is signified by distress in the head or scalp area that may radiate to the neck region.
Headaches are classified into two primary categories of primary and secondary, depending on the various contributing factors. Each of these categories has several subtypes. While headaches are usually caused by several factors, including stress, certain foods types, hormonal fluctuations, and even shifts in sleep patterns, primary headaches may be triggered by issues with the pain-sensitive cranial and intracranial structures , such as blood vessels, nerves, or muscles. Common types of primary headaches include:
Tension headaches: The most prevalent type
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Migraines: A throbbing, painful condition,
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Cluster headaches: An excruciatingly painful illness that occurs in cyclical patterns
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Do bananas help with headaches?
While they may appear to be a frequent or minor problem, headaches can be extremely painful. Sometimes the pain is so severe that the person may lose focus or the ability to perform basic daily tasks, forcing them to employ every possible treatment. One such option, which is gaining popularity in the management of headaches, is the consumption of bananas. This may be because the fruit crop has been enriched with iron, zinc, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, salt, calcium, and vitamins. In addition, bananas are a unique source of phytosterols along with bioactive substances like phenolics, carotenoids, flavonoids, and biogenic amines.
Migraines are believed to be caused by magnesium deficiency. Variations in magnesium levels affect neurotransmitter release, promote cortical spreading depression, and affect blood vessel constriction—all of which are facets of migraine pathogenesis. Additionally, magnesium may reduce the frequency or severity of migraine attacks, particularly in deficient individuals. While bananas are a great source of magnesium, they can only temporarily relieve symptoms or lower their intensity; they cannot offer long-term, effective therapy.
In a previous interview with THIP Media, Dr. Utkarsh Bhagat, Neurosurgeon, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram, clarified that migraines are not just severe headaches. Contrarily, they are a complex neurological condition that manifests as throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Some common migraine stressors include stress, fluctuations in hormones, certain foods, and environmental factors. Therefore, effective preventative strategies or medications that reduce the severity and duration can be used to proactively handle the debilitating illness; alternative therapies might just alleviate its symptoms.
Bananas may not be beneficial for all and may potentially act as a trigger for headaches. Always consult a healthcare specialist for individualised therapy regimens.
Why do some people have weak memories?
Memory issues are characterised by the inability to effectively store, retain, or recall information. They might range from modest forgetfulness to severe cognitive issues such as dementia and amnesia. These memory-related issues can be transient and persistent deficiencies with varying severity. The primary causes of memory loss include aging, neurologic disease, head injury, chronic stress, and even malnutrition. Age-related cognitive decline is primarily caused by biological factors, including beta-amyloid plaque accumulation, impaired neurotransmitter function, and degeneration of brain areas like the hippocampus.
Can memory-related issues be resolved with milk?
A fear of the adverse consequences of medication prescribed for cognitive issues is causing some to resort to natural remedies. Consequently, dairy consumption is being promoted due to its potential to preserve memory. However, it should be acknowledged that there is presently not enough scientific evidence to support this notion. On the contrary, research indicates that there may be a nonlinear relationship between dairy consumption and cognitive health. However, moderate consumption has been linked to a lower risk of dementia or cognitive decline. Nevertheless, not all results are consistent. Furthermore, a different study found no link between milk consumption and working memory, even speculating that drinking more milk would impair memory in senior adults.
Dr. Jateen Ukrani, a Consultant Psychiatrist at The Lifestyle Clinic in Delhi, advises against milk for memory-related issues. While high calcium, vitamin D, and riboflavin may help otherwise unhealthy individuals, but may not benefit those with dementia or cognitive impairments. Moreover, the presence of glutathione may aid in brain-related oxidative stress, but cannot replace the evidence-based conventional treatment. Therefore, Dr. Ukrani suggests consulting an expert rather than depending on such untested online remedies.
Even though milk might provide some nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin B12, and protein, that could be beneficial for overall brain health, its direct contribution to the treatment of memory problems remains uncertain. This limitation suggests that milk alone is unlikely to be a helpful therapeutic intervention for memory impairment.
What should one do if they face long-term issues of headaches or weak memory?
Persistent headaches and memory issues could be suggestive of underlying neurological and systemic conditions. In chronic situations, doctors may recommend diagnostic interventions that include imaging, neurological examinations, and cognitive testing. These examinations help to rule out conditions like migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular disease. Since migraines can induce attention and memory-related challenges, they require dual-targeted care.
Chronic headaches can be addressed with both medication and non-pharmacological measures by avoiding triggers, using cognitive behavioural therapy, getting adequate sleep, being hydrated, and practicing stress-reduction tactics.
It is necessary to identify and address reversible causes of memory loss, such as depression, thyroid problems, and B12 insufficiency. Senior adults should be evaluated for early dementia. The condition’s fundamental causes are addressed with cognitive therapy and medications. Furthermore, nutritional therapy that includes B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants could enhance cognitive performance.
What are the risks of trying to use food as medicine?
While the practice of using kitchen ingredients or food items as medicine has been around for a while, it can be harmful if it is used instead of evidence-based treatments. Turmeric, garlic, and ginger have been used extensively because of their bioactive ingredients; nevertheless, their efficacy varies depending on the source and preparation, and most significantly, there is no recommended dosage. This eventually reduces their therapeutic efficacy.
A significant cause for concern is the associated adverse interactions. Certain foods can interfere with prescription medications; for instance, grapefruit can alter cytochrome P450 enzymes, and too much liquorice can result in low potassium and hypertension, particularly in heart patients.
Relying entirely on food for managing severe illnesses such as diabetes or cancer may delay the required medical treatment. Foods like cinnamon or garlic might have some slight health benefits, but they can’t replace insulin therapy or antihypertensives.
Online false information encourages unsupported self-medication and raises the risk even more. This may put the vulnerable populations of senior adults, expectant mothers, and those with long-term medical conditions at a much higher risk. Therefore, a well-nourished diet supports health but shouldn’t replace prescription medications. Using food in a balanced, monitored way in conjunction with therapeutic care is the safest and most effective approach.
Conclusion
Please be advised that rapid memory loss or unexpected changes in headache patterns require quick medical attention since they may be signs of acute pathologies including stroke, infection, or cerebral tumour lesions.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
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