You may remember how your parents made sure you consumed all of your vegetables before leaving the dinner table. By now, you may be aware of how important these nutritious foods are to your body and overall health. But did you know that eating well has an impact on your hearing and ear health as well?
Healthy eating cannot fix hearing problems, so it’s still crucial to visit an ENT specialist if you have any concerns. However, a healthy diet can safeguard your hearing and lower your risk of developing hearing problems, whereas a poor diet may raise that risk.
Most people use the typical preventative measures—turning down the volume and wearing headphones—to preserve their hearing. However, you must also make sure that you are providing the right nutrition to support your efforts.
The effects of malnutrition
Your health will deteriorate in a number of ways if you do not provide your body with all the nutrients it requires. According to research, children who are malnourished may experience slower growth and development overall, particularly in their inner ears. They are more susceptible to hearing loss as they get older than people who eat a balanced diet full of vitamins and nutrients. Even before they are born, children who have mothers who are undernourished are more likely to have hearing loss.
What is the relationship between hearing and nutrition, then?
Your health, including your hearing, is directly impacted by the food you eat. In order to feed your ears, ensure that your diet includes these nutrients:
Magnesium : Magnesium might help shield your ears from hearing loss brought on by noise. The ability of magnesium to counteract the negative effects of free radicals produced by loud noises led researchers to this conclusion.
Must include the following magnesium-rich foods into your daily diet:
- Brown rice
- Potatoes
- Brazil nuts
- Almonds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Tomatoes
- Artichokes
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Bananas
Folic Acid: It has been established that people with low folic acid levels go on to acquire age-related hearing loss. It is thought that the body uses folic acid to absorb homocysteine, which has been associated with hearing loss and tinnitus.
Must include the following folic acid-rich foods into your daily diet:
- Spinach
- Bok choy
- Seeds
- Beans
- Lentils
- Romaine
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Chickpeas
- Avocado
Zinc: Zinc helps the body’s immune system function better, heals wounds, treats tinnitus, and prevents ear infections. In addition, hearing loss brought on by ageing is linked to zinc deficiency.
Must include the following zinc-rich foods into your daily diet:
- Dark-meat chicken
- Pig
- Cashews
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Split peas
- Lentils
- Oysters
- Dark chocolate
Omega-3: This fatty acidhas been found to help strengthen the blood vessels in the ear’s sensory system, which has been linked to a 42% lower risk of age-related hearing loss among fish eaters.
Must include the following omega-3-rich foods into your daily diet:
- Olive oil
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Tofu
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Cauliflower
- Walnuts
Vitamin D: Although it can be challenging to obtain vitamin D through food, it is crucial for your health. The ear’s small bones can be strengthened by vitamin D, which can also help prevent hearing loss.
Must include the following vitamin D-rich foods into your daily diet:
- Moderate sun exposure
- Sardines, tuna
- Cod liver oil
- Milk
- Yoghurt
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
- Mushrooms
- Lichens
- Feeding your ears
Potassium: The amount of fluid in your blood and body tissues is controlled by potassium. These levels naturally decline with age, which can result in hearing loss.
Must include the following Potassium-rich foods into your daily diet:
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Black beans
- Tomatoes
- Melons
- Oranges
- Youghurt………….The list goes on and on.
Vitamin B12: Hearing loss can be caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. Similar to folic acid, vitamin B12 lowers homocysteine levels and maintains the health and happiness of blood cells.
Must include the following Vitamin B12 -rich foods into your daily diet:
- Spirulina
- Nori
- Liver
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Trout
- Salmon
As a result, enjoying everything while maintaining a healthy balance is key when it comes to our health. Basically, all this implies is to eat more greens, consume less salt and sugar, and occasionally treat yourself.
Set your goals for a well-balanced diet because it’s beneficial for your ears! A clear and simple discussion is made possible by healthy ears.
Call today to book an appointment with Dr. (Prof.) Ameet Kishore at (+91-9654518169), the best ENT Specialist in New Delhi, to discuss additional information on hearing.
