Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms that prompt people to seek medical attention.
It can be a feeling of lightheadedness as if an individual is fainting and about to faint, or it can describe dizziness or a spinning sensation as if the affected person has just stepped off a merry-go-round.
Dizziness is often caused by a reduced blood supply to the brain, while vertigo can be caused by a disturbance in the inner ear and balance center of the brain.
The food we eat has a significant impact on our health, for those with dizziness, a slight change in their dietary choices can increase or decrease their risk of dizziness and the discomfort that comes with the associated symptoms. Some people start to feel dizzy after eating certain foods while others find their dizziness improves after adopting an anti-vertigo diet.
Therefore, you need to know which foods are best for vertigo and which foods cause vertigo and should be avoided completely.
If you are experiencing vertigo, you need to avoid the following foods:
- Sugar: Avoid consuming sugary liquids such as concentrated drinks and soda. These are foods that cause vertigo.
- Coffee: Avoid caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks and colas. Caffeine can increase the feeling of tinnitus in people with vertigo. Caffeine is reported to cause cell depolarization, making the cells more susceptible to stimulation. Caffeine intake should be regulated in patients with Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraine. Caffeine is strictly limited in the diet of people with vestibular migraine.
- Salt: Avoid excessive salt intake. Salt causes excess water retention in the body, affecting fluid balance and pressure. High salt intake in the diet will affect the homeostasis of the vestibular system. Patients with Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraine are advised to limit their salt intake, otherwise you may start feeling dizzy and cause more severe symptoms. Foods high in sodium such as soy sauce, chips, popcorn, cheese, pickles, papad and canned foods should be avoided. You can replace regular salt with low sodium salt as sodium is the main culprit in worsening dizziness.
- Cigarettes: Nicotine present in cigarettes is known to constrict blood vessels. Vestibular problems arising from constriction of blood vessels will be worsened by nicotine consumption (smoking). Nicotine reduces blood flow to the brain and hinders recovery by vestibular compensation.
- Alcohol: Alcohol adversely affects metabolism, dehydrates the body and its metabolites are harmful to the inner ear and brain. Alcohol can cause severe dizziness, migraines, vomiting, and nausea in people who are prone to dizziness. Alcohol can interfere with the brain’s central processing, hinder vestibular compensation, and affect cognitive function, negatively impacting a patient’s recovery. It can also worsen dizziness by altering the fluid dynamics of the inner ear.
- Processed foods: Processed foods and meats are some of the foods to avoid when experiencing dizziness.
- Bread: Bread and pastries can even cause dizziness.
- Fried foods: Fried foods should be avoided completely when following a dizziness diet.
Also, Pickles and fermented foods can aggravate dizziness symptoms.
If you suffer from dizziness, certain foods may help depending on the cause. Here’s what you should eat when you’re dizzy:
- Bananas: Rich in potassium, which helps maintain electrolyte balance and prevent dizziness caused by low blood pressure;
- Nuts and seeds: Provide healthy fats and protein to stabilize blood sugar;
- Whole grains (oats, brown rice, quinoa): Complex carbohydrates that prevent sudden drops in blood sugar;
- Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard): High in iron, which helps prevent dizziness caused by anemia;
- Lean proteins (chicken, fish, eggs, beans): Maintain energy levels and prevent muscle weakness;
- Water and electrolyte-rich drinks (coconut water, herbal tea): Prevent dehydration, a common cause of dizziness;
- Ginger: Helps improve blood circulation and reduce dizziness caused by nausea;
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese): Provide calcium and vitamin D, which are important for nerve function.
