Researchers Say Consuming More Fruit and Coffee Can Lower the Risk of Tinnitus. They Don’t Know Why

The human body is an incredibly complex machine where millions of interactions occur. Some of these interactions are intuitive and direct, while others are less clear. This complexity sometimes leads scientists to identify correlated phenomena that may involve causal relationships they don’t fully understand.

One intriguing example of this complexity is the connection between our digestive and auditory systems.

A recent study. A team of researchers in China examined the relationship between certain foods and the risk of suffering from tinnitus. The team found that higher intakes of fruit, fiber, dairy, and caffeine were associated with a lower risk of experiencing the annoying hearing sounds.

Ringing in the ears. Tinnitus is a technical term for the ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears. The noise exists only in the mind and can manifest in several forms, each with distinct characteristics. Some of these manifestations can be very bothersome and challenging to treat.

Tinnitus can originate from several sources, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injuries, and disorders of the circulatory system. It may present itself intermittently or persistently, and can be intense enough to disrupt hearing or hinder concentration.

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Meta-analysis. The idea that certain foods could influence the risk of tinnitus isn’t new. Previous studies have explored this connection, but drawing definitive conclusions from this body of literature can be complex.

To address this, the team behind the recent study conducted a literature review and performed a meta-analysis of the findings. Researchers compiled and analyzed data from eight studies that included a total of 300,000 participants. They focused on the effects of 15 dietary factors on the risk of developing tinnitus.

Different foods have different impacts. The study published in BMJ Open estimated that higher fruit consumption could be associated with a 35% reduction in the risk of tinnitus. Increased dairy consumption was linked to a 17% reduction in risk, while caffeine consumption showed a 10% reduction. Additionally, there was a 9% reduction in risk associated with increased dietary fiber intake.

An unknown cause-and-effect relationship. While the results are striking, the interpretation is complex. Scientists don’t fully understand the hypothetical cause-and-effect relationships behind these correlations. Although they can see a connection, they can’t infer causation.

Further insights can be found in a literature review published in 2020 in International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology. The paper also noted a link between caffeine consumption and tinnitus, but it cautioned that the relationship was only preventive. In other words, while caffeine consumption was associated with a lower risk of developing tinnitus, higher intake didn’t improve the condition for those already suffering from it.

Image | Alex Kotomanov

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