When tinnitus is not well managed, it can negatively impact a person’s life. Many people often find that their tinnitus symptoms can vary from day to day, with some days much worse than others. However, some people may not realize that what you eat could correlate with those days that your tinnitus is unbearable. There could be something that you ate that set off your tinnitus. Because of this, eating a healthy diet is key when you are trying to manage your tinnitus and improve your overall health, so it’s important to understand what to eat and what not to eat. Even though there is no cure for tinnitus, many have found success managing their symptoms by better managing their diet.
While food doesn’t take the place of medical intervention, eating wholesome, nutrient-dense food can help aid your body to heal itself and can even help alleviate your tinnitus symptoms. If you are looking for some natural remedies for tinnitus, learn more about what foods to eat and foods to avoid when you have tinnitus.
What to Eat
Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 can help alleviate your tinnitus symptoms that are a result of noise damage. You can find vitamin B12 in mackerel, salmon, chicken, beef, and eggs.
Bromelain – Tinnitus can have adverse effects on the body, which can lead to inflammation. However, bromelain, which is found in pineapple, can help reduce inflammation in the body, thus lessening the effects of tinnitus.
Potassium – potassium helps regulate the proper flow of fluids throughout the body. Potassium-rich foods that may help alleviate your symptoms include apricots, sweet potatoes, pears, papayas, bananas, yogurt, spinach, mangos, and apples.
Zinc – Sometimes ringing in the ears can be caused by low levels of zinc, which is responsible for healing and cell growth. So make sure you keep your levels up by eating plenty of nuts, dark chocolate, yogurt, chicken, beef, spinach, lamb, and shellfish.
Folate – Folate helps improve blood flow to the inner ear by increasing circulation and can help improve tinnitus, sudden hearing loss, and age-related hearing loss. Get your daily dose of folate by eating plenty of beans, spinach, romaine lettuce, broccoli, turnip greens, asparagus, and bok choy.
What Not to Eat/Consume Less
• Processed/pre-packaged/fast foods
• MSG
• Table salt
• Artificial sweeteners
• Vegetable oils
• Sulfites
• Saturate fats
• Refined carbohydrates
• Trans fats
• Caffeine
• Processed sugar
• Alcohol
If you suspect that a particular food is contributing to your tinnitus, avoid eating any for a week. Then reintroduce the food and take notice if you experience any adverse effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, diet can influence tinnitus symptoms. Certain foods may trigger or worsen tinnitus, while others can help alleviate it. Managing your diet by eating nutrient-rich foods and avoiding harmful ingredients can aid in reducing the severity of tinnitus symptoms.
Foods rich in vitamin B12, bromelain, potassium, zinc, and folate are beneficial for managing tinnitus. Examples include mackerel, salmon, pineapple, bananas, nuts, spinach, beans, and broccoli. These nutrients help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and support cell repair, which may alleviate tinnitus symptoms.
You should avoid processed and fast foods, MSG, table salt, artificial sweeteners, vegetable oils, sulfites, saturated and trans fats, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, processed sugar, and alcohol. These can contribute to inflammation or other adverse effects that may exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
Vitamin B12 helps alleviate tinnitus symptoms that result from noise-induced damage by supporting nerve health and repair. Consuming foods like mackerel, salmon, chicken, beef, and eggs can increase vitamin B12 levels and potentially reduce tinnitus severity.
Potassium helps regulate fluid balance in the body, which is essential for ear health and proper inner ear function. Consuming potassium-rich foods like bananas, spinach, and sweet potatoes can help alleviate tinnitus symptoms by maintaining healthy fluid levels in the ear.
Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, reduces inflammation in the body, which can help lessen the adverse effects of tinnitus. By decreasing inflammation, bromelain may contribute to symptom relief for those suffering from tinnitus.
If you suspect a particular food worsens your tinnitus, eliminate it from your diet for a week and monitor your symptoms. Then reintroduce the food and observe if your tinnitus symptoms worsen, which can help identify trigger foods.