What Foods Can Affect Tinnitus?
The saying "you are what you eat" does have some truth to it. Your health and well-being are generally affected by the foods and drinks you consume. Different types of foods and drinks can affect various aspects of your body. One area of your body that you might not think that food can affect is your hearing.
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom where a patient hears a consistent noise in one or both of their ears. It's important to note that there is no external source of this noise. Patients describe this sound as ringing, buzzing, roaring, squealing, hissing, whistling, and humming. These phantom sounds may last for months on end or may come and go depending on the individual patient.
What Beverages Worsen Tinnitus?
Many patients with tinnitus notice that certain drinks make their tinnitus symptoms worse. While every person is different, there are some common substances that you should be aware of. One of the most common is aspartame. This is an artificial sweetener used in many diet soda beverages. You may find it in artificial sweetener packages that you can mix in with coffee, tea, and other beverages.
Beverages with high levels of caffeine, can worsen tinnitus symptoms. Additionally, alcohol and other beverages containing high levels of salicylates can trigger tinnitus.
What Foods Worsen Tinnitus?
According to the American Tinnitus Association, salt is another known trigger of tinnitus. Patients who eat a lot of fast foods and processed foods tend to consume a lot of salt. This means they can have more symptoms than those who eat whole and unprocessed foods. According to the Journal of Neurosciences, salicylates are also known triggers of tinnitus. These include blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, raisins, strawberries, and even oranges.
Another known food that will trigger tinnitus symptoms is sugar. Most people who have tinnitus already have a sugar metabolism problem. This makes it harder for their bodies to break down sugar and deliver it throughout their bodies. Also, foods with high amounts of trans and saturated fats can worsen tinnitus. This is due to their effect on creating poor circulation throughout the body.
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If you're struggling with tinnitus symptoms or hearing loss, then it's time to contact us. Let our hearing care professionals help you with all your tinnitus and hearing needs.
