A Connection Between Watermelon and Migraines
Why some people should probably avoid watermelon.
Posted January 24, 2026 | Reviewed by Kaja Perina
People across the planet have long enjoyed watermelon. According to historical record, ancient Egyptians first harvested watermelon 5,000 years ago, with cultivation of the fruit then spreading worldwide. Currently, the top producers of watermelon in descending order are Egypt, China, Turkey, United States, and Iran.
Although watermelon is a rich source of healthy antioxidants—including lycopene, ascorbic acid, and citrulline— migraineurs best eschew its consumption. But why?
According to the results of a 2021 qualitative study , in a cohort of 3,935 migraine patients and 1,163 with tension-type headache, plant foods triggered migraine in approximately 40% of participants after 1.5 hours of consumption. Chief among these offenders was watermelon, which was responsible for migraines 29.5% of the time. Other offenders included passion fruit (3.73%); orange (2.01%); and pineapple (1.52%).
On a related note, some experts have suggested that other types of headaches—like tension headache—are also triggered by plant foods. However, in the current study, no participants with tension-type headache developed migraine.
In a 2023 case control study involving 38 volunteers with migraine and 38 participants without migraine (i.e., the control group), headache was triggered by the consumption of watermelon after approximately 124 minutes of digestion in 24% of those with migraine. Watermelon increased nitrite levels in 24% of members in both groups following ingestion.
More generally, foods that trigger migraine promote meningeal inflammation and vasodilation, as well as interfering with glucose metabolism. All these factors contribute to the development of migraines.
Ironically, watermelon consists of 91% water, which actually helps relieve headaches by preventing dehydration. The remainder consists of mostly carbohydrates, as well as smaller amounts of proteins, fats, fiber, minerals like potassium, and vitamins A and B.
The bioactive compounds in watermelon include carotenoids, polyphenols, and citrulline. Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid found mostly in watermelon. It converts citrulline to arginine, which is used to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a strong vasodilator; vasodilation of the meningeal arteries is a symptom of migraine.
On the flipside, in those without migraine, the antioxidant citrulline exerts many benefits . By driving the production of nitric oxide, citrulline boosts blood flow to muscles, reduces fatigue, and improves endurance.
According to the American Migraine Foundation , if you are unsure whether watermelon—or any other food trigger—results in migraines, consider keeping a food diary.
Remember that few triggers result in migraines every time migraineurs eat them. Instead, if a type of food seems to trigger migraine more than half the time, it may be to blame and should probably be avoided. The American Migraine Foundation recommends avoiding the food for 2 to 3 months to assess whether cutting watermelon (or whatever else) could be contributing.
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Naveed Saleh, M.D., M.S. , attained a medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and a master's degree in science journalism from Texas A&M.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.