Gluten may be a trigger for migraine episodes in some people, but more research is necessary to understand this connection.

Gluten is a protein found in grains such as barley, rye, and wheat.

One 2013 studyTrusted Source suggests a link between celiac disease and migraine. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to form antibodies in response to gluten.

A 2012 case reportTrusted Source suggests that migraine may even be an early symptom of celiac disease in some people.

But gluten can also affect the nervous system in people with non-celiac gluten intolerance. That means gluten may trigger migraine in people who don’t have celiac disease but instead have a gluten sensitivity.

A person with gluten sensitivity may also experience:

  • abdominal pain
  • bloating
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • gas
  • joint pain
  • nausea
  • rash
  • vomiting

A healthcare professional will likely use a blood test or an endoscopy to test you for celiac disease.

A blood test will indicate whether you have a higher level of antibodies, which happens when your immune system is compromised. Gluten may be the cause of this response.

An endoscopy allows a healthcare professional to examine your small intestine and check for damage, which could be a sign of celiac disease.

Follow an elimination diet

Doctors don’t have tests to diagnose gluten sensitivity. If you test negative for celiac disease, a healthcare professional may recommend that you try an elimination diet.

During this process, you’ll remove possible trigger foods and beverages from your diet and then slowly add them back, noting whether and when your symptoms return. This can help you determine whether those foods are triggering your symptoms.

Keep a migraine journal

A healthcare professional may also recommend that you keep a food and migraine journal. In your journal, you’ll keep track of everything you eat and when you have migraine episodes. That will allow you to notice trends.

For example, if you often have a migraine episode the day after you drink red wine, red wine may be a trigger. A journal can help you see whether gluten might be causing your migraine headaches.

The most effective treatment for celiac disease and non-celiac gluten intolerance is a completely gluten-free diet.

Wheat is usually the main source of dietary gluten. Common wheat-based products include:

  • wheat bran
  • wheat flour
  • spelt
  • durum
  • kamut
  • semolina

Other gluten sources include:

  • barley
  • rye
  • triticale (a hybrid crop that combines wheat and rye)
  • malt
  • brewer’s yeast

Many types of pasta, cereal, and other staple foods are available in gluten-free versions. Check labels and look for items that specify that they’re made without gluten.

You might also consider over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription migraine medications. If OTC pain relievers are unsuccessful, a healthcare professional may recommend acute or preventive medications.

Acute medications are taken at the onset of migraine symptoms to reduce their severity, whereas preventive medications are taken regularly to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes.

After you start a gluten-free diet, it could take several weeks for you to feel a difference in your body. Stick with it and keep a log of your migraine episodes to help determine whether the change in diet is helping to improve them.

You can always try other migraine treatments or preventive medications if the gluten-free diet isn’t working. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage therapy could also help treat migraine episodes.