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Which Foods Can Cause Ringing in the Ears?

Sep 14, 2011 | By Lila Roe
Which Foods Can Cause Ringing in the Ears?
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Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can have many causes. Unlike a condition such as diabetes, where nutritional interventions are a part of standard treatment, no definitive diet recommendations exist for tinnitus. Limiting certain foods and drinks, however, might help. It is also important to track your diet to determine your personal triggers, as they might be items not typically associated with this condition.

High-Sodium Foods

The American Academy of Otolaryngology reports that sodium can impair blood circulation, worsening symptoms of tinnitus. When it comes to limiting salt, you need to begin reading food labels carefully, as most of the salt in your diet comes from canned foods, frozen foods and other packaged products. Natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables, contain salt as well, but in miniscule amounts. Eating mostly fresh foods will guarantee you are following a low-sodium diet. Generally, people should eat 2,300 milligrams or less daily; talk to your doctor about the ideal amount of salt to reduce tinnitus symptoms.

Controlling Cholesterol Levels

Turkish researchers wanted to test the effects of diet or medication in individuals suffering from noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. Their study, published in a 2007 edition of ‘’The International Tinnitus Journal,’’ divided participants into two groups. One followed a low-cholesterol diet while the other took medications to lower lipid levels. The researchers found ‘’significant’’ improvements in tinnitus symptoms in individuals who responded positively to either therapy.
Foods that contribute to high cholesterol levels include whole milk and products made from it, fatty meat, trans fats and egg yolks. Besides avoiding these foods, you want to eat foods known to lower cholesterol, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, fish loaded with healthy fats and fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Preventing or Reversing Insulin Resistance

High insulin levels can also contribute to ringing in the ears, according to researchers at the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre in Brazil. They conducted a study testing the effects of diet on patients with hyperinsulinemia and tinnitus. Compared to the control group, who made no changes to their diet, individuals who followed the diet prescribed by the researchers were five times more likely to report an improvement in their tinnitus.
Cut back on refined carbohydrates and sugar-rich foods and drinks – they cause large spikes in blood sugar, which in turn, spur the release of large amounts of insulin. You also need to limit starchy foods, such as potatoes and corn. While they have plenty of healthful nutrients, they are also high in carbohydrates; eating them in large quantities can negatively affect blood sugar. Talk to your doctor about the amount of carbohydrates you should eat daily.
Excess weight contributes to insulin resistance as well, so adopt a diet that promotes a healthy weight.

Other Considerations

MayoClinic.com reports that alcohol might worsen tinnitus symptoms. Coffee has always been a no-no if you have tinnitus, but recent research questions that suggestion. A study by researchers at the University of Bristol appeared in the January 2010 issue of the ''International Journal of Audiology.'' It had tinnitus sufferers who consumed at least 150 milligrams of caffeine daily report on their condition throughout the study, which consisted of periods of consuming caffeine and abstaining from it. Researchers found that caffeine did not appear to affect the severity of symptoms and that the traditional suggestion to avoid it is not justified. When it comes to this dietary change, pay attention to how you feel when you consume caffeine and when you do not to determine how it affects you personally.

References

Article reviewed by John Yoset Last updated on: Sep 14, 2011

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