Research indicates that dietary choices may significantly influence the risk of developing tinnitus in women. A study published online on December 17, 2023, in the American Journal of Epidemiology by Dr. Sharon G. Curhan and colleagues from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston analyzed the health data of over 113,000 women across two large cohorts.
The researchers utilized data from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), which ran from 1984 to 2022 with 42,504 participants, and the Nurses’ Health Study 2 (NHS2), conducted from 1991 to 2021 with 71,050 participants. Their objective was to investigate how various dietary patterns correlate with the onset of persistent tinnitus.
The findings revealed that adherence to a generally healthy diet did not consistently lower the risk of developing tinnitus. However, a notable trend emerged regarding specific food groups. Increased intake of fruit was linked to a lower risk of tinnitus in both cohorts. Conversely, higher consumption of whole grains, legumes, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) correlated with a greater risk of developing the condition.
For those in the highest and lowest quintiles of dietary intake, the study reported pooled adjusted hazard ratios of 0.81 for fruit, indicating a protective effect, and 1.26 for whole grains, 1.13 for legumes, and 1.12 for SSBs, suggesting increased risks associated with these items. These patterns held true even for a subcohort of women for whom lifetime noise exposure data was available.
Dr. Curhan and her team emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, “This study provides compelling evidence that dietary intake can influence the development of persistent tinnitus.” They also cautioned against the outright avoidance of foods identified as risk factors since many are typically included in a balanced diet.
This extensive research highlights the potential role of nutrition in managing health risks, particularly for conditions like tinnitus that can significantly affect quality of life. Further studies may be necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms that connect diet to auditory health, but these insights underline the importance of dietary awareness among women.
For individuals concerned about tinnitus, the results suggest that increasing fruit intake could be beneficial. As research continues to evolve, it may pave the way for new dietary guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of this often-debilitating condition.
