Consuming caffeine appears to lessen the the chance of developing tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition where a person perceives ringing in the ears or other sounds like buzzing or clicking, without there being any actual external noise. This new research published in the American Journal of Medicine found that the more caffeine women consumed, the less likely they were to have tinnitus.
Consuming caffeine appears to lessen the the chance of developing tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition where a person perceives ringing in the ears or other sounds like buzzing or clicking, without there being any actual external noise. This new research published in the American Journal of Medicine found that the more caffeine women consumed, the less likely they were to have tinnitus.
For this study, the researchers analyzed data on over 65,000 women who were interviewed in 1991 as to lifestyle and dietary habits and again 18 years later, in 2009. After 18 years had passed , there were over 5,000 cases of women reporting problems with tinnitus . When they analyzed the results, it was found that the more caffeine women consumed, the less likely they were to be among those who developed tinnitus.
Physician-researcher Gary Curhan MD, professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, found that the average intake of caffeine was 242 mg per day – the amount in about two and a half 8 oz. cups of coffee. His analysis showed that the rate of suffering from tinnitus was 15% lower among women who consumed 450-599 mg a day of caffeine, compared to women who drank less than 150 mg a day (about one and a half 8-oz. cups of coffee). Although the exact mechanism which leads to this possibly protective effect against tinnitus is not known, Dr.Curham explains “caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, and previous research has demonstrated that caffeine has a direct effect on the inner ear .”
This research needs to be followed by studies to show whether whether increased caffeine intake might be a treatment used to improve tinnitus symptoms once they’ve developed.
Importantly, caffeine has also been shown in previous studies to be protective against Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease via an effect on the nervous system.
Coffee or caffeine intake may not be recommended for certain people such as those with sensitivity to caffeine, or for those with high blood pressure which may elevate under the influence of caffeine. For others, particularly those with a family history of degenerative neurologic problems, the regular intake of coffee or other caffeine sources may be a good prevention strategy.
For the best in Integrative Medicine call Henry C. Sobo, M.D., at 203-348-8805 or write us at [email protected]