Protect Your Hearing with a Healthy Diet

What you eat not only affects how your body functions, it may protect your hearing. When researchers examined the diets of almost 2,400 people and measured their hearing acuity, they found a powerful connection between diet and hearing. Those who scored highest on a survey called the Healthy Eating Index were less likely to develop hearing loss relative to those who ate a less healthful diet. They also found that participants who enjoyed a healthy diet and had been exposed to high levels of noise had hearing on par with those who had experienced less noise exposure but didn’t make healthful dietary choices.

Unfortunately, many people fall short of meeting the recommendations of eating more whole foods, fiber-rich foods and avoiding food high in salt, saturated fat and sugar. Nutrition counts even when it comes to your hearing.

What’s beneficial for your heart also benefits your ears, since good hearing is dependent on healthy blood vessels and normal blood flow to the ears and brain. According to research, formation of free radicals in the cochlea of the ear may be a factor in hearing loss, but vitamins A,C, E and the mineral magnesium could offer some protection, although more research is needed.

You can’t always control your genetics or how much noise enters your ears, although you should take precautions to avoid excessive noise exposure. You can take charge of is your diet. Eating a nutrient-rich diet of mostly whole foods and following healthy eating guidelines is one step you can take to protect your hearing. Make sure you’re getting your fruits and veggies! They’re one of the best sources of natural, cell-protective antioxidants for sharp hearing and a healthy body.

References:

“When It Comes to Hearing, Diet May Trump Noise Exposure.” AudiologyOnline, retrieved from https://www.audiologyonline.com/releases/when-it-comes-to-hearing-14332

LePrell, C. G., Hughes, L. F., & Miller, J. M. (2007). Free radical scavengers vitamins A, C, and E plus magnesium reduce noise trauma. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 42(9), 1454-1463.