Dizziness is a term used to describe a range of sensations that we can experience.
These sensations can best be described as:
- Dizziness
- Feeling faint
- Weakness
- Unsteadiness
There is also a condition called vertigo that creates a false sense that you (or your surroundings) are moving around or spinning. This condition is commonly referred to as vertigo.
The main cause of dizziness is a disturbance in the inner ear. The fluid inside your ear is affected by substances in your blood and other body fluids. There are certain foods that can affect the concentration of substances inside your ear and cause symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), migraines, and loss of balance.
By eliminating or reducing these foods, you can reduce your risk of experiencing dizziness in the future, includes:
1. Sodium
Sodium is a mineral that is regulated by the kidneys. It helps control the body’s fluid balance. However, excess sodium contributes to changes in fluid pressure in the inner ear and can increase your symptoms of dizziness. Salty foods are the main source of sodium in our body. If you are a patient with dizziness, you should limit your consumption of salty foods to reduce the amount of sodium in your body
Examples of foods high in sodium are:
- white bread
- pizza
- snacks (chips, popcorn, cookies)
- canned soup
- sandwiches
- egg dishes
2. Alcohol
Alcohol can cause dehydration and its metabolites are toxic to the brain and inner ear. Alcohol can cause symptoms such as migraines, nausea and dizziness. Alcohol is known to affect the inner ear due to its effect on the composition and volume of fluids. If you suffer from dizziness, you should eliminate alcohol as it can make you dizzy.
3. Caffeine
Caffeine leads to excess fluid in the body and can aggravate symptoms such as tinnitus due to its diuretic properties.
If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, you should avoid the following foods and drinks:
- coffee
- tea
- chocolate
- soft drinks
Instead of drinking coffee or tea, you should prioritize drinking water, milk and low-sugar fruit juice. You should drink at least two liters of water per day.
4. Sugar
Foods high in sugar can cause changes in body fluid volume, which can increase symptoms of dizziness.
Patients should reduce foods and drinks high in added sugar, such as:
- Sugary drinks (soft drinks and energy drinks)
- syrups, cane juice
- baked goods (cakes, muffins, pies, cookies)
- ice cream
- candy
5. Migraine triggers
Certain foods and drinks are known to trigger migraines. Avoiding these foods can help relieve vestibular migraines and prevent future attacks of dizziness. Foods high in the amino acid tyramine can trigger migraines. Tyramine can lead to increased production of a chemical called norepinephrine, which can lead to headaches.
The following foods are known to be high in tyramine and should be avoided by patients with recurrent migraines:
- chicken liver
- smoked meat
- sour cream
- yogurt
- pickled herring
- chocolate
- bananas
- citrus fruits
- ripe cheeses (such as cheddar, Stilton, Brie and Camembert)
