Can This Viral McDonald's Meal Really Cure Migraines?

On the list of McDonald's hacks you'll wish you knew sooner, scarfing a special combination of menu items to alleviate a pounding headache may not have been among them. Dubbed the "McMigraine Meal" by alliterative social media users, the pairing of a large Golden Arches french fry and a large Coke (or Diet Coke) is said to have magical properties to stop a splitting headache in its tracks. TikTok users swear by the one-two punch of salt and caffeine in the snack to counteract painful severe headaches, claiming that it works like a charm. It's a known fact that McDonald's Coke tastes really good, but does it actually have healing powers?

The verdict is: Probably not. Salt and caffeine do, respectively, have properties that can counteract headaches in some sufferers. Paradoxically, however, they can also make migraines worse instead of better. This is a major "your mileage may vary" situation. Overall, while there's nothing wrong with indulging in a tasty meal from McDonald's — or anywhere else — if you want to treat yourself when feeling crummy, you probably shouldn't rely on fast food as a form of medicine for a serious medical condition.

While there are fewer ingredients in McDonald's fries than you might think, nobody is mistaking these delectable shoestring spuds for health food. The problem is that, for every migraine sufferer who gets a bit of relief from the salt in french fries, there is another patient whose symptoms are worsened by fried food. The carbs in fries can soothe a grumbly belly that is queasy from headache-induced meal-skipping, but, on the other hand, the grease has the potential to upset sensitive tummies. Same with the Coke — while caffeine is empirically proven to be good for headaches (there is caffeine in Excedrin, for instance) — sugar can be a major migraine trigger. Do you really want to roll the dice on how these DIY "treatments" will make you feel when you are already under the weather?

If you are having frequent migraine headaches, it's important to visit a doctor to get tested for any underlying complications, as well as to receive possible recommendations for lifestyle or diet changes and maybe even prescription medication. This should hopefully go without saying, but please don't take medical advice from Dr. TikTok. A Coke and a french fry is a tasty and benign pick-me-up when you are having a rough day, but shouldn't be a substitute for professional advice and treatment.