Every aspect of our health and physical wellness relies on good nutrition, and believe it or not, hearing is not an exception! Although many people believe hearing to be a "process," and indeed it is, it still involves tissue, ligaments, neurons, and cellular integrity, all of which depend on good nutrition.
Foods rich in antioxidants A and E such as lentils, bananas, leafy vegetables and beans can help maintain your health at the cellular level, and help to prevent hearing loss as well as ear infections.
Vitamin B12 is an essential element for nerves and neurons. Because our brain relies upon the mechanical signal that comes through our middle and inner ear, the connection between the inner ear and our neurons is essential for processing and interpreting the sounds we hear. Fatty Omega Acids are also essential to a healthy nervous system, and a diet rich in a good balance of Omega 3-6-9 can help maintain nerves and neurons necessary for hearing and every other function.
The popular herb, Ginko Biloba, is believed to prevent cochlear damage. Research published in the DovePress Journal, Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, demonstrated that the dry extract, EGb716 is commonly effective in the treatment of tinnitus and can help prevent hearing loss overall. Because this extract has been shown to protect the mitochondria from oxidative stress and improve metabolism in coclear cells, most medical experts agree this can be a helpful addition to one's diet in order to help protect hearing as we age.
Who would have thought that diet plays such a huge role in hearing? So next time you have a choice between a burger and fries or the salmon and asparagus, listen to your ears!