Many of us have been told to eat our carrots for better eye sight. But, did anyone ever suggest foods beneficial to your hearing or ears? Not likely. Kids can now be told what foods to eat for healthy ears and hearing; wise advice that we should all adhere to.
Loss of hearing can be attributable to numerous things including infections, age and noise. The following foods contain nutrients and vitamins that may slow or prevent specific kinds of hearing loss.
Musicians, machinery workers, and other professionals in contact with loud noises, are at a greater risk for hearing damage. People with a profession or hobby exposing them to intense noise, can help protect their hearing with potatoes, banana, artichokes, or any other foods loaded with the mineral magnesium. Foods loaded with the mineral magnesium help defend against noise-induced hearing loss although the mechanism for how the magnesium does this is not known.
Remarkably, studies show that fish such as trout and salmon that possesses omega 3 fats and vitamin D, may slow age-related hearing problems. Other smart options for fish containing vitamin D and omega 3 fats include the tuna sitting in your cupboard and the anchovies topping your pizza. Any one of these, eaten at least twice each week, may help you hear better in your later years.
Good news! You’ll be pleased to discover that dark chocolate is beneficial to your hearing health! The zinc contained in dark chocolate aids in preventing zinc deficiencies which are connected to age-related hearing loss. Grab some oysters on the half shell if you don’t like dark chocolate; any foods containing zinc will help assure you are not deficient.
Exposure to high decibel noise can stimulate the formation of harmful free radicals bringing about the death of inner ear hair cells. Minimize damage from free radicals with antioxidants and folic acid. Some foods rich in both antioxidants and folic acid include asparagus, spinach, nuts and eggs.
Along with encouraging our kids and grandkids to eat carrots for good eye sight, now we can help them protect their hearing and slow possible hearing problems with specific food suggestions.