Increasing intake of fibre, fruit, dairy and caffeine may lower risk of Tinnitus: Study
Approximately 740 million people worldwide experience tinnitus, a chronic hearing condition characterized by persistent ringing or buzzing sounds. While there is no cure, research suggests that maintaining a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of developing tinnitus. A recent study highlights that increasing fruit, fiber, dairy products, and caffeine intake may contribute to lowering tinnitus risk.
A systematic analysis was conducted to investigate the association between tinnitus incidence and daily dietary patterns.
They conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. They included observational studies from peer-reviewed English-language journals that examined tinnitus presence or severity in adults aged 18 years or older, including associated prevalence estimates. Data extraction was independently conducted by two evaluators, who assessed research bias using the Agency for Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and applied evidence classification criteria for aggregate grade strength assessment.
This study adhered to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Project (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Observational Studies, as well as the PROSPERO Registry protocols. A mixed-effect model combined maximum adjusted estimates, with heterogeneity measured using the I2 statistic. Sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the analysis, and publication bias was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively.
Results A total of 10 retrospective studies were identified and included in this analysis, with the last eight studies incorporated into the meta-analysis. Fifteen dietary factors were examined. Fruit intake, dietary fibre, caffeine and dairy product consumption were negatively correlated with tinnitus incidence (OR=0.649 (95% CI 0.532, 0.793), p<0.0001), (OR=0.918 (95% CI 0.851, 0.990), p=0.03), (OR=0.898 (95% CI 0.862, 0.935), p<0.00001), (OR=0.827 (95% CI 0.766, 0.892), p<0.00001), respectively. A sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest a link between particular dietary elements and a lower incidence of tinnitus.
Reference:
Zhang M, Wang X, Zhang S, et alAssociation of 15 common dietary factors with tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studiesBMJ Open 2025;15:e091507. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091507
