Tinnitus currently affects an estimated 7.6 million people in the UK, with 1.5 million believed to suffer from a severe form of the disease.
But new research indicates that eating more fruit, fibre, dairy and caffeine could lower the risk of developing tinnitus.
The condition can leave people plagued by noises that don’t come from an outside source, such as ringing, buzzing or humming sounds.
In some cases, the sounds may affect one or both ears or be perceived in a person’s head.
Tinnitus affects 7.6 million people in the UK
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Left untreated, the condition has been linked to distress, depression, anxiety and stress, significantly affecting quality of life.
In severe cases, it has been associated with suicide. A new study published in BMJ Open examined eight observational studies involving 301,533 people.
Researchers in China assessed 15 dietary factors including carbohydrates, caffeine, eggs, fruits, fibres, fat, meat, protein, sugar, fish, vegetables and dairy.
Their findings suggest higher intake of certain foods correlates with lower tinnitus prevalence.
The reductions were significant: 35 per cent for fruit intake, nine per cent for dietary fibre, 17 per cent for dairy products, and 10 per cent for caffeine intake.
However, the team noted that findings on caffeine remain contentious. Some suggest caffeine might decrease tinnitus due to anxiety-reducing effects, while others argue it could worsen insomnia and exacerbate tinnitus.
The researchers suggested these foods may protect blood vessels and nerves while offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
They emphasised caution due to “the overall low quality of the evidence available” and called for further studies.
Ralph Holme, director of research at charity RNID, said: “Tinnitus affects one in seven adults and can be incredibly distressing for some people.
“Whilst we always welcome any new research to understand more about tinnitus, these results should be treated with caution as they do not tell us anything about causality ie these factors may simply be coincidental.”
Diets rich in fruit lowered the prevalence of tinnitus by 35% in the study
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“However, any new insights are always valuable and could lead to more research into this area helping us better understand tinnitus in the future,” Holme added.
The RNID offers support for those affected by the condition.
“In the meantime, if anyone is seeking help with their tinnitus, they can contact RNID for further information and support,” said the expert.
Tinnitus currently has no cure, but understanding potential dietary factors could open new avenues for management strategies.
Researchers emphasised the need for higher-quality studies to confirm these preliminary findings.
