Did You Know Your Diet Can Help Your Hearing?
“You are what you eat!” Related to healthy eating, you probably hear that a lot, but did you know that your diet can actually help your hearing? There are a very specific set of minerals that, when consumed, can directly relate to improving your hearing or prevent hearing loss. When it comes to hearing better, it really does come down to what you eat.
What are Minerals?
Minerals are found in rocks and soil, so you generally would not consumer a mineral straight out, but they are essential nutrients that your body needs to survive and they help with daily processes and functioning. While you don’t eat minerals themselves, you eat the fruits and vegetables that absorb minerals as they are growing in mineral-rich soil as well as other foods that are rich in minerals. So which foods should you be eating to help give your hearing a boost?
Foods that Help Your Hearing
Many different minerals are crucial for our overall health, but there are certain minerals that have the nutrients that can preserve good hearing. In addition to minerals, there are also vitamins that help you hear better too. Here is a list of those minerals and vitamins along with foods that contain those minerals.
- Potassium: Potassium helps to regulate the amount of fluid in your body tissue and blood. That fluid is in your inner ear, so that is how it relates to your hearing health. Potassium rich foods include:
- Bananas
- Melons
- Oranges
- Tomatoes
- Raisins
- Spinach
- Lima beans
- Spinach
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Magnesium: Magnesium has been shown to protect people from hearing loss. (Source.) According to scientists, they believe this is because magnesium acts like a protective barrier to the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. A lack of magnesium can cause a lack of oxygen which can cause blood vessels to shrink. Food high in magnesium include:
- Bananas
- Tomatoes
- Artichokes
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Folic Acid: Folic Acid is one of your body’s most critical elements when it comes to generating new cell growth. Antioxidants are also good for you and folic acid is a form of antioxidants. Some studies indicate that folic acid slows down hearing loss. Folate-rich foods include:
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Asparagus
- Organ meats
- Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that helps boost your immune system and also helps to heal wounds and in the area of cell growth. Some other research has suggested that it also helps in treating tinnitus, or ringing of the ears. Food rich in zinc include:
- Dark Chocolate
- Oysters
- Beef
- Pork
- Dark-meat chicken
- Lentils
- Split peas
- Beans
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is known for preventing colds and boosting your immune system, so it also helps prevent ear infections and promotes overall health. Foods that are rich in vitamin C include:
- Citrus fruits
- Guava
- Strawberries
- Fresh herbs
- Broccoli
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D along with Omega 3 Fats both work together to prevent hearing loss, especially age-related hearing loss. Vitamin D and Omega 3 Fats are found in:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Trout
- Sardines
As you can see, many of the foods cross over and have more than one of the minerals or vitamins that help your hearing health. If you are worried about hearing loss, in addition to eating the healthy foods we listed above, you should seek out a hearing professional. If you would like to speak with an experienced hearing care professional and discuss your available options based off your specific hearing loss needs, contact us today and schedule an appointment.