Researchers in Thailand discovered that vitamin D levels may be connected to how your voice sounds and works. They studied 480 people and recorded their voices using smartphones, then measured their vitamin D levels. The connection was strongest in younger people under 35 years old, where vitamin D appeared to affect multiple aspects of voice quality. While the findings are interesting, scientists say more research is needed to understand exactly how vitamin D influences the muscles and nerves that control your voice.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether the amount of vitamin D in your body affects how your voice sounds and functions
- Who participated: 480 randomly selected people from Thailand, divided into two age groups: 98 people aged 35 and younger, and 382 people older than 35
- Key finding: In younger people, vitamin D levels were connected to 28 different voice characteristics, particularly how the voice sounds at different pitches and volumes. In older adults, only one voice characteristic showed a connection to vitamin D
- What it means for you: If you’re under 35 and have low vitamin D, it may affect your voice quality, though this doesn’t mean vitamin D is the only factor. More research is needed before doctors can make specific recommendations based on this finding
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a group of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. Participants recorded themselves saying the sound ‘ah’ using their smartphones. Scientists then used special computer software called OpenSMILE to analyze 88 different features of these voice recordings, measuring things like pitch, loudness, and how the voice changes over time.
At the same time, researchers measured each person’s vitamin D levels using a precise laboratory method called mass spectrometry. They then compared the voice measurements to the vitamin D levels to see if there were any connections. The researchers also made sure to account for whether participants were male or female, since that can affect voice characteristics.
This study is important because it’s one of the first to look at this connection in a large group of people using detailed voice measurements. Previous studies were small and didn’t always measure voice the same way, which made it hard to draw conclusions. By using a large, randomly selected group and measuring many voice features, this research provides stronger evidence that vitamin D might actually affect how your voice works
Strengths: The study included a reasonably large sample size (480 people), used precise laboratory methods to measure vitamin D, and analyzed voice in detailed ways. The researchers also accounted for sex differences. Limitations: This study only shows a connection between vitamin D and voice, not that vitamin D causes voice changes. The study was done in Thailand, so results might be different in other populations. The connection was much weaker in older adults, suggesting age matters. The study doesn’t explain why this connection exists or whether changing vitamin D levels would actually change someone’s voice
What the Results Show
In the younger group (35 and under), researchers found that 28 different voice measurements were connected to vitamin D levels. The strongest connections were with how the voice’s sound energy spreads across different frequencies (spectral flux), how loud different parts of the voice are compared to each other, and overall sound levels. These findings suggest that vitamin D may affect the muscles and nerves that control voice production.
In the older group (over 35), the picture was very different. Only one voice measurement—how the pitch falls at the end of words—showed a connection to vitamin D levels. This dramatic difference between age groups is striking and suggests that vitamin D’s effect on voice may be most important when people are younger.
The study found that the connection between vitamin D and voice was independent of whether participants were male or female, meaning both men and women showed similar patterns. The researchers also noted that the specific voice features most affected by vitamin D were those related to how the voice produces and controls sound energy, which makes sense because vitamin D is known to affect muscle and nerve function throughout the body
This is one of the first large studies to examine this relationship using detailed voice measurements. Previous research suggested vitamin D might affect voice because it influences neuromuscular function, but those studies were small and didn’t always agree with each other. This research provides stronger evidence for that connection, particularly in younger people, though it still doesn’t prove that vitamin D directly causes voice changes
The biggest limitation is that this study shows only a connection, not a cause-and-effect relationship. We can’t say that low vitamin D causes voice problems. The study was done at one point in time, so we don’t know if these connections stay the same over time. The study included only Thai participants, so results might differ in other populations with different genetics or lifestyles. The very weak connection in older adults raises questions about whether this finding applies to everyone. Finally, the study doesn’t explain the biological reason for these connections or whether treating low vitamin D would actually improve voice quality
The Bottom Line
Based on this research alone, there’s not enough evidence to recommend changing your vitamin D intake specifically to improve your voice. However, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is important for overall health including bone and muscle function. If you’re concerned about voice quality or have low vitamin D, talk to your doctor about appropriate vitamin D levels for your age and health status. (Confidence: Low - this is preliminary research)
This research is most relevant to people under 35 who are interested in voice health or have voice concerns. It may also interest singers, public speakers, or people with voice disorders. People over 35 should note that this study found minimal connection between vitamin D and voice in their age group. Anyone with diagnosed vitamin D deficiency should follow their doctor’s recommendations regardless of voice concerns
This study doesn’t tell us how quickly vitamin D changes might affect voice, or whether improving vitamin D levels would improve voice quality. Any changes would likely take weeks to months to appear, since that’s how long it takes for muscles and nerves to adapt to nutritional changes
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your vitamin D levels quarterly (every 3 months) alongside voice quality observations. If you’re under 35, note any changes in voice clarity, pitch stability, or vocal fatigue when vitamin D levels change
- If your app shows low vitamin D levels, consider increasing sun exposure (10-30 minutes daily), eating more vitamin D-rich foods (fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk), or discussing supplementation with your doctor. Record any voice changes you notice over the following 8-12 weeks
- Create a simple voice quality log noting hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or pitch changes weekly. Compare trends to your vitamin D measurements over 3-6 month periods. Share patterns with your healthcare provider to determine if vitamin D supplementation might help
This research shows a connection between vitamin D levels and voice characteristics, particularly in younger adults, but does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes voice problems or that supplementation will improve voice quality. This study should not be used to diagnose or treat voice disorders. If you experience persistent voice changes, hoarseness, or other voice concerns, consult a healthcare provider or ear, nose, and throat specialist. Do not start or stop vitamin D supplementation without discussing it with your doctor, as appropriate vitamin D levels vary by individual health status, age, and location. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.