In 1826, a French lawyer named Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote some famous words: “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.” Since he wrote it in French, you may hear it translated differently, here and there.
In addition to being a lawyer, Brillat-Savarin also had a reputation as a “gastronome.” In our more casual contemporary lingo, that translates basically as, “foodie.”
We bring up that famous saying, because contemporary hearing health research suggests that there may be something to the idea of, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you if you’re likely to develop hearing loss.”
A new study out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital followed a group of nearly 71,000 women over a period of 22 years, looking at the effects of three different diets on the likelihood of hearing loss.
The diets involved were, the Alternate Mediterranean diet (AMED), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010).
The bottom line? The study found a definite association between a healthy diet and a lower risk of acquired hearing loss in women. Those whose diets most closely resembled the diets focused on in the study, showed a lower risk.
Some of the foods these hearing-healthy diets included are: extra virgin olive oil, grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish and low-fat dairy.
The hidden heroes in a hearing-healthy diet
Other studies, focused on the nutrients found in hearing-healthy foods, have found promise in various vitamins and minerals, including:
- Vitamin D:Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. The connection? We already that know that calcium is good for bone health. We also know that there are bones in the middle ear that are vital to the ability to hear. Sources include: salmon, mackerel, tuna, liver.
- Vitamin A:You’ve probably heard about the dangers posed to the body by substances called “free radicals.” One of the ways in which free radicals are formed is through loud-noise exposure. Vitamin A partners with magnesium, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to prevent noise-based free radicals from forming. Sources include: broccoli, squash, spinach, carrots.
- Vitamin B12:Healthy hearing depends on heathy blood flow to the inner ear. Among B12’s contributions to heathy hearing is its role in helping the body create red blood cells. It also helps the body metabolize an amino acid called “homocysteine,” which has been linked to hearing trouble when allowed to build up in the body. Sources include: dairy, eggs, lean beef, shellfish.
- Folic Acid:This contributes to holding back the production of homocysteine in the body, while also boosting blood circulation to the inner ear. Sources include: avocado, lettuce, bananas, strawberries.
- Manganese:Hearing is highly dependent on healthy nerve and brain function. Manganese contributes to both. Sources include: apples, beans, raisins, celery.
