A recent study suggests that dietary patterns may play a role in the risk of developing tinnitus among women. Published online on December 17, 2025, in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the research led by Sharon G. Curhan, M.D., from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, analyzed data from two extensive cohorts of women totaling 113,554 participants.
The study utilized information from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) conducted from 1984 to 2022, which included 42,504 participants, and the NHS2, spanning 1991 to 2021 with 71,050 participants. Researchers focused on longitudinal associations between dietary intake and the development of persistent tinnitus, a condition characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears.
While the findings indicated that adherence to a generally healthy diet did not consistently lower the risk of tinnitus, there were notable exceptions. Increased consumption of fruits was linked to a significantly reduced risk of developing the condition in both cohorts. Conversely, higher intakes of whole grains, legumes, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were associated with an elevated risk for tinnitus.
The analysis revealed that the pooled adjusted hazard ratios for the highest and lowest quintiles of intake were 0.81 for fruit, 1.26 for whole grains, 1.13 for legumes, and 1.12 for SSBs. Similar trends were observed in a subcohort of women who provided information on lifetime noise exposure, suggesting that dietary choices interact with environmental factors in influencing tinnitus risk.
The authors concluded, “This study provides compelling evidence that dietary intake can influence the development of persistent tinnitus.” They emphasized that while certain foods linked to increased risk are often included in a healthy diet, they do not recommend avoiding these foods at this time.
The implications of this research highlight the importance of dietary awareness, particularly for women who may be at risk for tinnitus. Further investigation into the mechanisms by which diet affects ear health may help refine dietary recommendations in the future.
This study adds to the growing body of literature exploring the intersections of nutrition and auditory health, underscoring the need for continued research in this vital area.
