In short, the video shared on Facebook claims that cutting the apple in half, sprinkling it with salt and eating it instantly brings headache relief. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this, and eating too much salt may be harmful to your health.
The video, circulating on Facebook, instructs viewers to cut the apple in half, sprinkle salt and eat it, claiming it will instantly relieve the headache. A similar video with the same claims is also being distributed on Tiktok.
However, there is no clinical or scientific support for this claim. Apples are hydration and contain nutrients that can benefit your body, but eating them with salt is not a proven or recommended treatment for headaches.
There are many causes for headaches – and there are no treatments for all sizes
There are several different types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. Each has a different underlying cause and there is a recommended treatment. Headaches can be caused by stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, lack of posture, or certain foods, according to Mayo Clinic.
Effective treatment for headaches depends on the type and severity of the problem. There is no mention of the Apple and Salt headache treatment guidelines used to provide immediate relief.
Lifestyle changes to improve sleep, exercise and diet can help with occasional mild headaches, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Counter medications containing aspirin or paracetamol can also be used.
For migraines, and another common type of headache that can sometimes be severe and debilitating, doctors may recommend one of many different medications aimed at alleviating symptoms. Some medications include anti-inflammatory drugs, or triptans, for milder pain, in more severe cases.
These common headaches are often not the cause of alarms, but some headaches can represent a medical emergency. If you have a sudden, severe headache, or if you have a fever, a stiff neck, confusion, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficult talk, or a headache, you should seek medical care immediately.
Why salt and apple treatments don’t work
The idea that salt and apple together cure headaches is likely to come from home remedies based on anecdotal reports rather than scientific research. Apples contain water and natural sugars. As experts have pointed out, hydration and maintaining blood sugar levels can help reduce mild headaches. However, if dehydration is the cause of headaches, alcohol-drinking solutions can be a more direct and effective treatment.
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Sprinkling salt on fruits is not supported by scientific research as a treatment for headaches. One exception is that eating salt may help relieve headaches if it is caused by low sodium levels in the body. This is a condition known as hyponatremia and can lead to headaches and other symptoms.
However, excessive salt intake is often associated with worsening headache symptoms.
The risk of eating too much salt
According to the World Health Organization, too much salt can increase blood pressure and increase the risk of heart and kidney disease. The WHO recommends that adults eat less than five grams of salt (1 teaspoon) per day, saying “almost all populations consume too much sodium.”
Sprinkling excess salt on fruits with excess salt can increase health risks without providing proven benefits, especially if you are already on a salty diet.
Why are these types of claims spreading?
Videos that offer “nature” or “instant” remedies can go viral as they look simple and harmless. However, these claims can be misleading and can provide false hopes or lead to delays in appropriate treatment.
Are you still not sure if the natural remedies you saw online will really work? Send us a claim and we may verify it for you.
