Say goodbye to ringing ears.
Lowering earbud volume or using earplugs in loud environments is well-known to help reduce the risk of tinnitus. However, recent research suggests that certain dietary habits, like increasing fruit and fiber intake or consuming more milk and coffee, may also lower the chances of developing this persistent ringing in the ears.
A study published in The BMJ highlights that simple changes in diet could play a role in tinnitus prevention. Led by senior researcher Qinxiu Zhang from the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, the research team found that fruit, dietary fiber, caffeine, and dairy products are linked to a lower risk of tinnitus.
According to the study, around 14% of adults experience tinnitus. While exposure to loud noise is a key risk factor, the origins of tinnitus are still unclear and are influenced by various factors. The research team pooled data from eight studies involving over 300,000 participants to examine potential connections between diet and tinnitus.
The results showed that consuming more of certain foods significantly reduced the risk of tinnitus: fruit by 35%, dairy by 17%, caffeine by 10%, and fiber by 9%. These foods may protect hearing health by providing nutrients that support the nerves and blood vessels connected to hearing.
While the study’s findings offer promising insights, the researchers caution that the overall quality of the evidence is low, and more research is needed. Additionally, no strong evidence was found linking other foods like vegetables, chocolate, eggs, meat, or fish to tinnitus prevention. Moreover, eating large amounts of these beneficial foods will not necessarily provide extra protection against the condition.
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