According to researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, individuals that consume high amounts of caffeine may be at risk for suffering from more frequent headaches than people who only consume small amounts. While some individuals swear by caffeine when it comes to preventing and controlling headaches, some researchers do not necessarily agree.

It’s true that drinking moderate amounts of caffeinated beverages may help to relieve headache pain in some individuals, however, not everyone’s body reacts the same way. Some people have a heightened sensitivity to the stimulant and react negatively to it’s affects. There are also certain studies that suggest that the relationship between caffeine and headaches simply does not exist.

Another study suggests that drinking higher amounts of caffeine can turn chronic headaches into infrequent headaches. Some researchers believe that people who look for pain relief by drinking sodas, coffee, and other stimulating beverages may actually be making their headaches much worse without realizing it. Based on a measure called “years lived with disability”, The World Health Organization ranks migraines as number 19 in the majority of all causes of disability.

A HUNT study finds that non-migraine headaches are 18 percent more frequent in people who consume high levels of caffeine than those who do not. A high level of caffeine is considered to be at least 500 mg per day or more. One option for people who suffer from headaches of any kind is to analyze the amount of caffeine they consume. While high consumption may not be the problem, it is a possibility. Cutting down on coffee, sodas, and other similar beverages may just be the answer that so many headache-sufferers are looking for.