A recent study published in BMJ Open suggests that consuming more fruit, dietary fibre, dairy products, and caffeine may lessen the incidence of tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears. The study examined data from eight observational studies including 301,533 people and identified potential protective benefits of specific food patterns.

Tinnitus, which affects around 14% of individuals worldwide, is defined as the sense of sound (such as ringing, buzzing, or clicking) without an external source. It has a substantial influence on quality of life, causing despair, anxiety, tension, and, in severe cases, suicidal ideation. While there is no cure, counselling, behavioural therapy, medicines, and hearing aids can help with symptoms.

Research has long questioned the relevance of nutrition in tinnitus management due to inconsistent results. To fill this gap, researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of publications published up to May 2024 that investigated the relationship between dietary variables and tinnitus in people. They identified 15 dietary components, including carbs, caffeine, fruits, vegetables, fibre, dairy, and proteins, which were evaluated throughout the research.

The combined findings revealed a significant link between increased intakes of four major dietary factors—fruits, dietary fibre, dairy products, and caffeine—and a lower incidence of tinnitus. Fruit consumption had the greatest influence, lowering tinnitus risk by 35%, most likely due to its high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory content, which promotes vascular and brain health. Dietary fibre, while only contributing to a 9% reduction in risk, may help by improving blood sugar regulation and lowering inflammation, both of which can have an indirect impact on inner ear function. Similarly, dairy products were connected to a 17% reduction in tinnitus occurrence, possibly due to their calcium and vitamin D content, which are required for auditory nerve function. Finally, caffeine consumption was associated with a 10% reduction in tinnitus risk, although the association is still ambiguous due to contradicting findings from earlier research. These findings imply that a diet high in fruits, fibre, dairy, and moderate caffeine may help to enhance vascular health and minimise oxidative stress, perhaps benefiting people who suffer from tinnitus.

Interestingly, no link was discovered between tinnitus and other dietary components such as vegetables, eggs, and seafood. However, the authors emphasised that the small number of studies included in the analysis may have resulted in the exclusion of widely accepted positive dietary components.

The authors proposed that the protective effects of these dietary elements could be attributed to their influence on blood vessels and neurones, as well as their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. Improved blood flow to the inner ear and reduced oxidative stress may assist in minimising the damage that leads to tinnitus..

Despite these optimistic results, the researchers emphasised that their study did not demonstrate a causal association. Confounding factors may have altered the correlations identified in these observational studies. "The primary underlying mechanisms may involve the protective effects of these diets on blood vessels and nerves, as well as their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties," they stated, emphasising the importance of additional large-scale research to validate these findings.

While the study found a 10% reduction in tinnitus risk with coffee consumption, the link between caffeine and tinnitus remains controversial. Previous research has yielded contradictory results, with some studies indicating that caffeine may exacerbate symptoms and others indicating that it may have a protective effect. The authors acknowledge this inconsistency, emphasising the need for additional focused study to determine caffeine's exact involvement in tinnitus care.

The findings are a good first step towards understanding the function of nutrition in preventing or treating tinnitus, but they should be interpreted with caution. The small number of high-quality studies included in this meta-analysis creates uncertainty. Furthermore, due to the lack of causality, promoting dietary changes as a main strategy for tinnitus prevention or therapy is premature.

Future research should aim for larger, more diverse sample sizes and use randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to better demonstrate causality. Until then, people suffering from tinnitus might consider including fruits, fibre, dairy, and moderate levels of caffeine in their diets as part of a balanced, nutrient-rich eating pattern that improves overall cardiovascular and brain health.