Why Do We Get Headaches After Eating?

By Vanshika Gaur
10 Jul 2025, 11:00 IST

You may have experienced or seen people getting headaches after eating a meal. This can happen due to numerous reasons like food allergy, low blood pressure, and more. Tap to know more reasons behind it!

Food Allergy

Sometimes, our immune system may overreact to the food and release some chemicals, causing food allergy and leading to headaches.

Low Blood Sugar

After eating a meal, our body may produce excessive insulin, dropping the blood sugar and leading to headaches, especially in people with diabetes.

Delayed Gastric Emptying

After eating food, the stomach may empty slowly, especially in people with gastrointestinal issues, leading to bloating, nausea, and headaches.

Dehydration

One of the most common causes of headaches is dehydration. Not drinking enough water, especially with spicy foods, can cause dehydration and lead to headaches.

Low Blood Pressure

Also known as postprandial hypotension, can also lead to headaches as blood is redirected to the stomach after eating, lowering blood pressure.

Caffeine Withdrawal Or Overconsumption

People who are used to caffeine may get a withdrawal headache if they skip it for even a day, whereas overconsumption of it can also trigger headaches.

Brain Freeze

When we eat something cold like ice creams, it may cause brain freeze, i.e., narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain, leading to sharp pain or headaches.

Information Credits

According to PubMed, we may experience headaches after eating due to low blood pressure, dehydration, low blood sugar, and more. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalised suggestions.