Can McDonald’s coke and fries help cure a migraine? - Health

May 14, 2025

Thanks, Dr TikTok. We’ll take it from here.

There’s a new life hack doing the rounds on TikTok, and this one claims it can cure migraines. What is it, you ask wearily? Fortunately, this particular hack has nothing to do with putting mustard on watermelon or peeling fruit in the shower. All it requires is a simple McDonald’s order of a large Coke and fries.

TikTokers claim this McMigraine meal can cure a debilitating migraine “in minutes”. And for once, the social mediasphere seems to be onto something.

French fries — Is there anything that fried potato can’t do?

Why does a Coke and fries help migraines?

Let’s start with the large Coke. This contains about 60mg caffeine. Migraine medication also commonly contains caffeine – this narrows blood vessels, helping to relieve pain. It’s also possible that a fizzy drink can help quell the nausea that comes with a migraine.

Then there are the fries. These are super-high in salt, or sodium, which is an electrolyte. Eating salty fries can help restore any electrolyte imbalances (which can sometimes trigger a migraine), and help improve hydration levels. Some studies have also found that people who eat a higher-sodium diet tend to experience fewer migraine episodes. There’s also the fact that fries are delicious carbs, which provide a lovely hit of pain-relieving dopamine to the brain.

Is there a healthier way to cure a migraine?

There are definitely plenty of better ways to deal with a migraine than heading to Macca’s. Let’s allow an actual doctor to explain.

@doctorbrainbarbie

McDonald’s Migraine hack explained by a Neurologist. 🧠🍟🥤 #migraine #migraines #migrainerelief #migrainetiktok #headache #headacherelief #neurology

♬ original sound – Doctor Brain Barbie 💖

So if you’re a chronic migraine sufferer, it’s not recommended you down a large Coke and fries every time you feel an episode coming on. But this hack is certainly a handy one to have up your sleeve, if other options aren’t available.