You may be asking yourself,
what else can I do to prevent hearing loss? The most important thing is to avoid loud, excessive noise and wear proper ear protection, but there are also other ways to preserve your ears for years to come! One includes eating ear-friendly foods to prevent hearing loss and protect good hearing. Check out the list below!
Protect against presbycusis
Potassium-rich foods are very good at combating hearing loss, especially age-related hearing loss (called presbycusis). Potassium levels drop as we get older, and that can cause problems because potassium plays a big part in cell interaction in the inner ear. Fruits such as bananas, apricots, melons, and oranges have a lot of potassium and can help prevent hearing loss.
Folate is also related to presbycusis. Studies
have shown that low folic acid levels are linked to hearing loss, so keeping your folic acid levels up are important to maintain good hearing. Foods rich in folate include lentils, beans, and avocados.
Take your vitamins
Vitamins C, E, and D are all essential to prevent hearing loss. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that guard against damage to the ear cells, blood vessels, and nerves. Vitamin C also improves immune systems, which can help you become less susceptible to dangerous ear infections—this is especially important in small children. Red bell peppers, broccoli, kiwi, and papaya all are rich in both vitamins C and E.
Vitamin D is very important in bone formation, including the tiny, delicate bones that make up your ears! Vitamin D is not naturally occurring in a lot of foods, so make sure you stock up on mushrooms. Or, if you’re not a fan of fungi, you can sit in the sun and soak up all the vitamin D you need each day.
Omega-3s, please!
Omega-3 fatty acids are the healthy fats that are found in many types of food, and can
help reduce tissue inflammation in the ears, protect the cardiovascular system, and ward off age-related hearing loss. Walnuts, beans, olive oil, coconut oil, and fish all contain these healthy fats and may prevent hearing loss.
Going green
Green foods are the best kind of foods you can eat to help prevent hearing loss. Spinach (and other leafy greens) is full of folic acid and potassium. Spinach is also a food that is high in zinc, which strengthens the immune system and promotes healthy cell growth. Broccoli will bring you vitamins C and E, as well as folate. Magnesium is another important component for healthy hearing, as it helps reduce tinnitus, and can be found in leafy greens and artichokes.
It is important to stay healthy in all aspects of your life in order to prevent hearing loss. A healthy body and mind are much less susceptible to hearing loss, and these foods can help. Both delicious and nutritious, make sure some of the foods mentioned above find their way onto your table to protect your health and prevent hearing loss!
By: Elena McPhillips
