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Tinnitus, blood sugar & stress: The surprising connection you need to know

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Do you experience that annoying ringing in your ears that just won’t go away?

You might be surprised to learn that it could be linked to your blood sugar balance or your body’s stress response.

Tinnitus is often described as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in the ears that isn’t caused by an external source. For some, it comes and goes; for others, it can feel constant and intrusive, affecting concentration, sleep, and overall quality of life. Although commonly thought of as an ear problem, tinnitus can be influenced by factors throughout the body, including circulation, nervous system activity, and even blood sugar regulation.

Tinnitus and blood sugar balance

Tinnitus frequently appears alongside conditions involving metabolic dysfunction, including diabetes, which is considered both a risk factor and a common comorbidity. High blood glucose levels are known to worsen tinnitus symptoms.

Research shows that people with tinnitus often have reduced blood flow in certain brain regions linked to hearing and focus. One key area, the medial prefrontal cortex, supports decision-making, memory, attention, emotional balance, and motivation. Interestingly, studies suggest a strong association between diabetes, tinnitus, and this region of the brain, highlighting just how important blood sugar balance is for both brain and hearing health.

The cochlea, the inner ear structure responsible for hearing, has especially high energy demands and is sensitive to changes in blood flow. Elevated blood glucose can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, which may damage the cochlea and auditory pathways. Diabetes-related microvascular damage can further reduce blood supply to these structures, while neuropathy may impair the auditory nerve itself. Combined with the effects of insulin resistance on brain signalling, these changes can disrupt how the auditory system processes sound, worsening tinnitus symptoms.

Tinnitus and chronic stress

Stress also plays a significant role in the development and progression of tinnitus.

When we experience stress, the body responds through the adrenal and thyroid hormone pathways, as well as the autonomic nervous system. To adapt, the brain undergoes changes known as neuronal plasticity, a process closely tied to tinnitus. Reduced sound input, such as from hearing loss or auditory nerve damage, can trigger these brain changes and increase the likelihood of tinnitus.

The limbic system, which regulates emotions and memory, is also involved. Stress hormones like cortisol can affect the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, linking tinnitus with mood and emotional regulation. Over time, ongoing stress and elevated cortisol levels have been connected to anxiety, depression, and worsening tinnitus symptoms.

Finding relief and moving forward

Many people feel discouraged when it comes to finding relief from tinnitus, but it’s important to know that there is hope. Even if the ringing doesn’t disappear completely, steps can be taken to ease its intensity, make it more manageable, and help you feel more in control of your daily life again.

Here are a few actionable takeaways to get started:

  1. Maintain stable blood sugar by building meals with protein, healthy fats, and fibre.
  2. Reduce your intake of refined and processed sugars.
  3. Support stress resilience through mindfulness, breathwork, and nervous system regulation techniques (such as vagus nerve stimulation).

References:

Luo, S., Wen, J., Bao, Q., Ou, H., Yi, S., & Peng, P. (2025). Association between diabetes mellitus and tinnitus: A meta-analysis. Biomolecules & biomedicine, 25(9), 1937–1948. https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2024.11634

McCormack, A., Edmondson-Jones, M., Mellor, D., Dawes, P., Munro, K.J., Moore, D.R., & Fortnum, H. (2015). Association of dietary factors with presence and severity of Tinnitus in a Middle-aged UK population. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0114711

Patil, J.D., Alrashid, M.A., Eltabbakh, A., & Fredericks, S. (2023). The association between stress, emotional states, and tinnitus: A mini-review. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 15. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1131979/full

Xia, W., Cui, J., Luo, Y., Xu, J. J., Chen, H., Yin, X., Ma, J., & Wu, Y. (2021). Glucose control has an impact on cerebral blood flow alterations in chronic tinnitus Patients. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 623520. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.623520

Feeding a healthier mind: The role of polyphenols in brain function

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Our brains are under constant pressure, from daily stress, inflammation, and the natural effects of ageing. The good news is everyday plant foods can make a difference. Polyphenols, found in colourful fruits, vegetables, herbs, and teas, play a key role in keeping the mind healthy and resilient.  Read on to explore the power of polyphenols for brain health.

Polyphenols are nature’s support for your brain

Polyphenols, natural compounds found in plant foods like berries, tea, and herbs, can directly benefit the brain. Research shows they’re able to cross into the brain and influence key processes that protect and improve mental performance.

Once inside, polyphenols help activate pathways that boost BDNF, a molecule that strengthens brain cells, supports memory and learning, and even protects against depression. They also encourage the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, the area responsible for learning and memory.

Interestingly, polyphenols may help brain cells use glucose more efficiently, even without relying on insulin. This could be especially helpful as we age, since reduced brain energy metabolism is a key feature of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

While scientists are still exploring exactly how these compounds cross into the brain and how strong their effects are in humans, early research is promising, suggesting that a diet rich in plant-based polyphenols may help keep the brain energised, resilient, and healthy over time.

How polyphenols protect the brain from damage

Beyond supporting healthy brain signalling and energy use, polyphenols also act as powerful protectors, helping the brain stay resilient against age-related decline.

One of their key roles is preventing harmful protein build-up. As we age, certain proteins can start clumping together in the brain, disrupting normal cell function and contributing to conditions like Alzheimer’s. Plant compounds such as baicalein, resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin have been shown to stop these proteins from forming toxic tangles and may even help break down existing ones. This action protects brain cells from damage and supports long-term cognitive function.

Polyphenols also promote healthy circulation. They help lower blood pressure, improve blood vessel flexibility, and enhance blood flow to the brain, ensuring it receives the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay alert and focused. Blueberries are a great example, rich in flavonoids that increase nitric oxide, a natural compound that keeps blood vessels open and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and stroke.

Another fascinating benefit of polyphenols is their ability to strengthen the brain’s natural defence system, the blood–brain barrier (BBB). This barrier protects the brain from toxins and inflammation. Studies have shown that green tea and lychee seed polyphenols can help maintain BBB integrity, particularly during times of stress such as stroke or in Alzheimer’s disease, where the barrier often becomes leaky.  By keeping this barrier strong, polyphenols help reduce inflammation and prevent further injury to delicate brain tissue.

Together, these effects show just how diverse polyphenols are. They not only support healthy brain function but also defend the brain from oxidative stress, poor circulation, and inflammation, three key drivers of cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.

See the next blog on ‘Everyday foods rich in polyphenols’ to learn what foods to eat and how to include them in your diet.

References:

Chandrasekaran, V., Hediyal, T. A., Anand, N., Kendaganna, P. H., Gorantla, V. R., Mahalakshmi, A. M., Ghanekar, R. K., Yang, J., Sakharkar, M. K., & Chidambaram, S. B. (2023). Polyphenols, Autophagy and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review. Biomolecules, 13(8), 1196. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13081196

Grabska-Kobyłecka, I., Szpakowski, P., Król, A., Książek-Winiarek, D., Kobyłecki, A., Głąbiński, A., & Nowak, D. (2023). Polyphenols and Their Impact on the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Development. Nutrients, 15(15), 3454. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153454

Hong, M., Yu, J., Wang, X., Liu, Y., Zhan, S., Wu, Z., & Zhang, X. (2022). Tea Polyphenols as Prospective Natural Attenuators of Brain Aging. Nutrients, 14(15), 3012. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14153012

Ullah, A., Khan, A., Ahmed, S., Irfan, H. M., Hafiz, A. A., Jabeen, K., Alruwaili, M., Alotaibi, M., al Naeem, W., Khan, A., & Al-Harrasi, A. (2023). A review of pomegranate supplementation: A promising remedial avenue for Alzheimer’s disease. In Heliyon (Vol. 9, Issue 11). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22483

Yahfoufi, N., Alsadi, N., Jambi, M., & Matar, C. (2018). The Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Role of Polyphenols. Nutrients, 10(11), 1618. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111618

What does a clinical nutritionist do?

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A common misconception about nutritionists is that they tell people what to eat, create meal plans and count calories.  I’m here to tell you that a clinical nutritionist does so much more.  Stay tuned to learn valuable insights about what a clinical nutritionist can do, what to expect during a consultation, what chronic conditions can be addressed and what health outcomes are achievable using nutritional medicine.

What is a clinical nutritionist?

A clinical nutritionist is a degree qualified health professional with an educational background in a range of disciplines including anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, nutritional biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, and clinical nutritional medicine. By leveraging nutritional medicine, a clinical nutritionist targets the signs and symptoms of illness and chronic conditions. Nutritional medicine adopts a holistic approach, recognising that micronutrients are essential for all biochemical processes to function optimally; and symptoms are understood as indicators of deeper issues, influenced by an interplay of environmental, genetic, nutritional, and lifestyle factors.

Clinical nutritionists formulate evidenced-based nutritional therapy plans based on your individual needs, symptomology, nutritional inadequacies, pathology and functional testing results, and personal health goals. No cookie cutter approaches or fad diets here!

Why see a clinical nutritionist?

Clinical nutritionists are often considered when all other options have been exhausted with no clear answers for bothersome health complaints.  Some of the common symptoms that people might not get answers for are recurrent skin rashes, headaches, migraines, hair loss, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, brain fog, menstrual problems, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain or difficulty losing weight.

Optimal nutrition, combined with therapeutic doses of key nutrients, can significantly improve one’s health. The nutrients in food interact with our genes and can either promote illness or prevent disease. For instance, a buildup of toxins and heavy metals may disrupt hormonal signalling and transport of nutrients within cells, affecting biochemical pathways contributing to conditions like ADHD, Autism, and metabolic imbalances. All body systems—gut, brain, endocrine, and reproductive—are interconnected. For example, harmful gut bacteria that produce endotoxins can trigger inflammation in the brain, leading to symptoms like mood swings, poor concentration, and low motivation.

What chronic conditions can clinical nutritionists assist with?

The scope of practice for a clinical nutritionist depends on their qualifications, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, postgraduate certifications, and their clinical knowledge and experience. It’s important to understand that clinical nutritionists are not permitted to diagnose, cure, or directly treat diseases. If a formal diagnosis has not been made, you may be referred to your primary care physician or a specialist for further investigation. However, clinical nutritionists can provide supportive care for clients with diagnosed chronic conditions, which may include rare genetic disorders.

Gastrointestinal: IBS, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulosis, Coeliac Disease

Metabolic: Type 2 diabetes, Pre-diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Dyslipidaemia

Reproductive: Perimenopause, Menopause, Andropause, PCOS, Endometriosis, Infertility (male & female), Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)

Mental health: ADHD, Autism, PMS, PMDD, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Immune/Respiratory: Asthma, Sinusitis, Food or Seasonal Allergies, Frequent colds and flus, Glandular fever, Epstein Barr Virus

Autoimmune: Rheumatoid arthritis, Grave’s Disease, Hashimoto’s, Coeliac disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes

What to expect at your first consultation
Your initial consultation, either via telehealth or in person, will last approximately 75-90 minutes. During this time, the practitioner will ask questions about your lifestyle, diet, medical history, family medical history, physical activity, and current medications and supplements. Depending on your specific concerns, they may also take a detailed look at various body systems—so be prepared for questions about your bowel habits. The practitioner might request a food and symptom diary, refer you to your GP or another health professional for further assessments or tests, or recommend specialised functional testing to gather more information before creating a treatment plan.

What happens next?
After the initial consultation, a follow-up will be recommended within an appropriate timeframe to review any pathology or functional test results, specialist reports, and food and symptom diaries. The practitioner will also discuss your treatment plan. If a plan was already provided, this follow-up will focus on your progress and any necessary adjustments. The frequency of follow-ups will depend on the complexity of your condition. For instance, complex gastrointestinal cases may require weeks to months to achieve the desired outcome. Rest assured, you will receive ongoing support throughout the process, and your budget, work, and lifestyle will be considered when scheduling appointments.

If you’re ready to take control of your health, uncover the root causes of your symptoms, and achieve lasting results through personalised nutrition, let’s work together. Book a consultation today to explore how clinical nutrition can support your unique health journey. Book a consultation