Foods That Can Protect Your Hearing

It's no surprise to many that what you put in your body has a big impact on your health. While you may think of your physical health, like your body composition, that's not all it affects. The foods that you eat actually affect your hearing health as well.

Must-Have Vitamins And Minerals

There are some vitamins and minerals that you need on a regular basis to preserve your hearing. There are five main ones, which include:

• Magnesium protects your hearing by helping to maintain your ear's natural nerve function. This ensures a prominent flow of oxygen-rich blood to your ears. It also protects the delicate hair cells inside your inner ear.
• Potassium regulates the fluid inside of your inner ears. As you age, the natural level of potassium inside your body drops.
• Dropping potassium levels can decrease the fluid in your inner ear. This decrease of fluid can cause hearing loss.
• Folate enhances circulation throughout your body. Having adequate blood circulation protects the delicate hair cells in your inner ear.
• Zinc boosts the immune system and helps promote cell growth throughout the body. It goes a long way in protecting against tinnitus and ear infections.
• Omega 3s are responsible for helping to prevent age-related hearing loss. There is a link between fatty acids and a decreased risk of hearing loss.

Where To Get These Essential Vitamins And Minerals?

Now that you know what vitamins and minerals protect your hearing, it's time to know what foods have them. Magnesium is in foods like flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, and salmon. Avocados, spinach, whole grains, and legumes also contain magnesium.

Potassium is well-known to be in bananas. But, it's also present in many other fruits and vegetables. These include watermelon, coconut, avocados, edamame, cucumbers, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes. Potatoes, apricots, cantaloupe, oranges, peas, and eggs also contain potassium. Folate is in bananas, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, liver, fortified cereals, and peas. Kidney beans, whole grains, lemons, melons, eggs, peanuts, and chickpeas also contain it.

Zinc is often found in foods like dark chocolate, peanuts, lentils, beans, pork, crab, beef, and kale. Dark chicken, spinach, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, garlic, oatmeal, and yogurt also contain it. Omega 3s are in foods like fortified eggs, hemp seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, spinach, and sardines. Fish, milk, herring, purslane, Brussels sprouts, oysters, and chia seeds also contain it.

Call Us Today

If you've noticed a slight decrease in your hearing abilities, it's time to give us a call. Let our helpful hearing care professionals test your hearing. We can provide you with top-quality hearing care services.