Aid hearing health with a Mediterranean diet

Post on 20th January 2020

You are what you eat and a healthy, balanced diet has to be good for our general wellbeing. But did you know that eating certain foods is good for our hearing health?

Researchers in the USA found that following healthy eating plans, such as the Mediterranean Diet, led to a lower likelihood of mid-frequency and high-frequency hearing loss.

The study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital observed that women who followed such diets showed considerably less decline in hearing sensitivity. We can’t stop the ageing process, but the findings suggest that hearing loss doesn’t have to be an inevitable consequence of ageing – if we change our diet and lifestyle.

Previous research has linked certain foods, including fish, leafy greens and beans, as well as carrots, oranges and other fruits and vegetables, as beneficial to hearing health so this study is added food for thought.

We know hearing is linked to general health, with our auditory system dependent on our cardiovascular, neural and metabolic health. If we are not healthy in general, it could increase susceptibility to hearing loss.

If you are resolved to change your eating habits in 2020, here are five food groups that could help your hearing:

Omega 3 Fats & Vitamin D: Generally found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, trout or sardines. Omega 3 fats strengthen the blood vessels in our ear’s sensory system.

Anti-oxidants & Folic Acid: A regular intake of antioxidants, especially in the form of folic acid commonly found in spinach, asparagus, beans, broccoli, eggs, liver or nuts, can reduce the risk of hearing loss. Antioxidants reduce the number of free radicals that swirl through your body, which can otherwise damage the nerve tissue in your inner ears.

Magnesium: Commonly found in bananas, potatoes, artichokes or broccoli, has been shown to provide additional protection against hearing loss.

Zinc: Zinc can increase your inner ear’s resistance to age related hearing loss. This can be found in dark chocolate or oysters, for example.

Vitamin C, E & Glutathione: Found in an array of fruit and vegetables such as oranges and peppers, Vitamin C/E can keep free radicals in check and strengthen your overall immune system, thus reducing the risk of ear infections.