Healthy eating is vital to good health. The proper function of the body depends upon foods that contain the minerals that help keep us well. Did you know that certain foods and minerals can also benefit your hearing health? Read on to find foods and minerals that can help to improve your communication.
Foods That Support Hearing Health
Eating healthful meals is not only prudent for your overall body function; These meals can also boost your hearing health.
- Will an apple a day keep the doctor away? Maybe. It might even promote hearing health. Apples contain large amounts of vitamin C. The antioxidant properties of apples prevent hair cells in the cochlea from receiving damage.
- Leafy vegetables. Dark, leafy greens contain folate. Folate deficiency is directly related to hearing loss, especially high-frequency hearing loss.
- Pumpkins are not just for Halloween. They contain vitamins A and C, which boost the immune system. A healthy immune system will help fight off ear infections that may affect hearing.
- Dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and high levels of zinc which boost your immune system and fight the ear infections, which may be the cause of your hearing loss.
- Clams provide an excellent source of B12, which keeps blood cells healthy by lowering homocysteine levels to improve or maintain good hearing.
- Beans and nuts. Legumes and nuts contain magnesium. This mineral protects the hair cells of the inner ear, which impact the ability to hear.
- Whole grains. Zinc is in many common whole grains. This nutrient is essential for immune system health, which keeps potential ear infections at bay.
- Zinc is also present in various types of seafood, including oysters, lobsters, and crabs. Zinc helps the immune system protect your hearing.
Minerals That Support Hearing Health
Minerals are essential for overall health and body function. These inorganic substances found in soils and rocks are critical for the body to perform daily tasks and processes. Minerals are obtained by eating plants that absorb the minerals from the earth or by eating meat from animals that graze on plants. There are many vital minerals, and here are a few that support hearing health:
- Potassium. This common mineral regulates fluid in the body and body tissue. Potassium is critical for hearing health due to the fluid in the inner ear. This fluid helps to translate noises into electrical impulses the brain reads as sound. Potatoes, spinach, lima beans, tomatoes, bananas, melons, and milk all contain potassium.
- Folic acid. Folic acid is essential for new cell growth and is shown to slow down the loss of hearing. Organ meats, spinach, broccoli, and asparagus contain generous amounts of folic acid.
- Magnesium contests the effects of free radicals emitted during loud noises. It provides a protective barrier for the hair cells in the inner ear. Foods rich in magnesium include bananas, artichokes, potatoes, spinach, and tomatoes.
- Zinc is effective at holding off germs that cause colds and ear infections. There are even studies that suggest that zinc is effective at treating tinnitus. Beef, pork, dark-meat chicken, peanuts, beans, and dark chocolate have ample amounts of zinc.
