It is no secret: what you eat on a daily basis influences how your body functions. The body constantly draws energy and nutrients from food, but certain foods can also change the way it works.
The most telling example is a poor diet, which can promote the appearance of acne. It is widely considered that foods associated with an unbalanced diet, such as refined sugar, alter sebum production, its composition, and the skin's bacterial flora, thereby contributing to a higher frequency of acne. All this leads many people seeking clear skin to adopt certain dietary habits.
Diet is also thought to influence how the body functions through the production of earwax. Earwax is an orange-colored substance secreted into the ear canal; it protects the ear from foreign bodies that may lodge there and helps prevent infections thanks to its antimicrobial properties.
Earwax performs many important functions, but it is not infallible. Some people have to deal with an overproduction of earwax and the resulting blockages. These blockages can even be significant enough to cause conductive hearing loss. The amount of earwax you produce varies according to your genetics, environment, and diet.
Here is an overview of the different categories of food that may contribute to increased earwax production.
Gluten
Gluten is a compound found in many products, but it is mainly associated with bakery products such as bread or cereals like rye and barley. The gluten molecule acts as a binder. While well-tolerated by many people, it causes intolerance or even allergies in others.
If you are not yet eating gluten-free, the fact that gluten may increase your earwax production might help you take the plunge. Here is an overview of some foods rich in gluten, so you are better informed about what is best to avoid.
Bakery and pastry products
Everyone enjoys a little treat from time to time, but what happens if the delicious raisin bread behind your bakery window is contributing to your excessive earwax production and ear blockages?
Most people manage to do without gluten sources like barley, but pastries and baked goods are often the Achilles' heel for those trying to eat gluten-free. Bread, croissants, bagels, muffins, and cakes are all delicious in their own way. However, their gluten content can come at a high price.
While this may seem like torture to some, it should be noted that there are many gluten-free pastries to satisfy your cravings.
Pasta
Pasta is among the foods that can contain gluten. If you have ever made homemade pasta, you likely know that flour plays an essential role in a good dough. However, classic flour naturally contains gluten. You may therefore have to give up authentic Italian cuisine.
While wheat-based pasta is to be avoided, many alternatives have appeared in recent years, based on ingredients like lentils or beans. Not only are they gluten-free, but they also provide more protein and nutrients.
Lactose
You have probably already heard of lactose intolerance, without necessarily knowing exactly what it is. Lactose is a type of sugar found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and other animal-based milks.
In short, an intolerance corresponds to a difficulty in digesting: people who are lactose intolerant have trouble digesting this sugar properly.
According to the NIH, it is estimated that nearly 68% of the world's population experiences, to some degree or another, difficulties digesting lactose. Lactose intolerance can manifest through various digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach aches, but this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Countless people claim that lactose seems to contribute to an increased production of earwax. If you wish to reduce this production, you might consider limiting foods containing lactose, or choosing alternatives to avoid it entirely.
Here is an overview of foods rich in lactose that you might want to limit or avoid.
Milk
Milk is an integral part of many people's day. A splash of milk in coffee, a bowl of cereal to start the day right, or a nice latte at your favorite cafe: these are all ways that milk makes its way into our diet.
Milk is a very significant source of lactose, and it can be difficult to do without it. Cereal without milk is not exactly dreamy. Fortunately, not all milks are created equal, and there are excellent lactose-free alternatives.
Animal-based milk almost always contains a certain amount of lactose, unless stated otherwise. You can buy specific animal milks or opt for a plant-based beverage like almond milk or oat milk.
Cheese
If you ask people who have stopped eating dairy, most will tell you that cheese was the hardest thing to give up. There are so many varieties, found in countless recipes and tasty dishes. Hard cheeses generally contain less lactose, but they can still pose a problem for intolerant individuals.
Cheese substitutes exist, but they are less widely available than classic cheeses. The best method to cut back is to take it slow: reduce your consumption bit by bit until you are eating less and less.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a well-known molecule all over the world. It is considered a stimulant, and many people take advantage of it to stay alert, focused, and full of energy.
While many believe that caffeine helps them stay productive, it also comes with its share of drawbacks. In addition to the fact that it can promote anxiety and restlessness, caffeine can also have an effect on your ears. It can trigger tinnitus, and it is thought that it could influence earwax production.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In the last decade alone, its annual consumption is said to have increased by nearly 1.2 billion pounds. People enjoy a cup of coffee as part of their morning ritual to fill up on energy, or while they work comfortably settled in a cafe.
As coffee occupies an important place in many people's lives, it can be very difficult to give it up completely. Rather than stopping overnight, it is better to gradually reduce your caffeine intake. Each person reacts a little differently. Finding the balance between the boost you are looking for and unwanted effects like tinnitus will allow you to continue enjoying your morning coffee without suffering from unpleasant annoyances.
Chocolate
Many people enjoy chocolate as a comfort food or as a sweet treat to end the day. There is nothing wrong with that in moderation, but you should be aware that chocolate naturally contains caffeine.
If you are trying to identify the food in your diet that might be contributing to your excessive earwax production, try limiting your chocolate consumption and see if it makes a difference.
Other causes of excess earwax
While diet can indeed play a role in your earwax production, it is only one factor among others. Many elements can make you more prone to earwax blockages; here are a few.
Genetics
Genetics determine a large part of who we are, and they can even influence your tendency to produce excess earwax.
Some people are simply born with more active ceruminous glands, while others have narrower ear canals, which do not allow earwax to drain as easily.
Earphones and hearing aids
Another factor that can lead to earwax accumulation is the frequent use of devices that obstruct the entry of the ear canal. The ear is capable of clearing earwax on its own. When devices like hearing aids block the canal, earwax can accumulate.
This can give you the impression that you are producing more earwax. In reality, your body is simply no longer able to clear it out.
Diet and hearing health
In summary, the exact mechanisms linking diet and earwax production are not fully understood. Nevertheless, there are certain foods that are suspected of causing an excess of earwax.
If you indeed have too much earwax, limiting these foods will likely do you no harm and could even help you. As always, if you have a question regarding your health, including your dietary habits, seek advice from your doctor.
Sources
What is Gluten? | Celiac Disease Foundation.
Definition & Facts for Lactose Intolerance | NIDDK.
Global coffee consumption, 2020/21 | Statista
