We often pay little attention to our inner ear health. Most of us are unaware of it. Partly because some common inner ear health problems go away without any care. But do you know that the inner ear plays a large part in keeping our body balanced?
Besides auditory purposes, the inner ear has a ‘Vestibular System’ of semi-circular canals filled with fluid and sensors that work to maintain body equilibrium. While the cochlea helps us to hear, the vestibular system helps to maintain the body’s balance.
Now you are familiar with the big roles our ears play. It is time to learn about what we can do to protect the inner ear health. Below, you can find a list of food items that improve inner ear health.
Relation Between Food And Ear Health
To improve our auditory sense you need to take care of ear health. Our ear has 3 main parts, the are known as inner ear, middle ear, and outer ear. It is the inner ear that helps to hear. It is the inner ear that transforms sound waves into recognizable sounds. The job of the middle ear is to bring sound waves into the inner ear with the help of three tiny bones known as the ossicles. The eardrum is also located in the middle ear.
The outer is the part we see outside our body, the shape of the ear is perfect for capturing sound waves. Any disorder in the ear can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. As we age, it is normal for human beings to have lowered auditory senses.
However, the consumption of healthy food and a healthy lifestyle can alter or slow down the process of future ear problems. Try to incorporate the below-mentioned food items to keep your inner ear healthy.
Vitamin D to Protect The Tiny Bones
Oily fishes are rich sources of vitamin D. Studies have shown that vitamin D and calcium will improve bone density. Our middle ear consists of three tiny bones, which are essential for hearing.
Foods with vitamin D will help to improve the health of bones in the ear. Salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, swordfish, and canned fish are rich in vitamin D. Fishes are also a source of omega-3 – 3 and omega-6 – 6.
Dark Chocolate For Healthier Hearing
Dark chocolates have magnesium and plenty of antioxidants in them. Both are vital for improved digestion and immune function. Eating dark chocolate will help to increase magnesium levels. It can help to limit noise-induced hearing loss.
Folic Acid – Say Bye To Premature Hearing Loss
We need folic acid for cell growth and improved circulation. Breakfast cereal, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and liver have folic acid. In order to improve the blood flow into the inner, having food containing folic acid will help. It also reduces the chance of age-related hearing loss.
Take Vitamin B12 And Protect The Cochlea
Even though studies are limited on the relationship between B12 deficiency and hearing loss, some studies have shown that vitamin B12 deficiency can damage neurons in the cochlear nerve which can lead to hearing loss. Organ meat, eggs, beef, and clams are natural sources of B12. Including food rich in vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of balance disorders and tinnitus.
Remember to include all of these foods in your diet for healthy hearing. If you are someone with other health issues it is better to consult a medical health professional before making drastic changes to your diet.
Less consumption of the below-mentioned food items will reduce your risk of developing inner ear problems.
- Vegetable oil
- Processed cheese
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners
- Processed foods
- Cream cheese
- Preserved meat
Apart from making changes to your food habits, you can also follow these things to keep your ear healthy and infection-free.
- Always keep your ears dry.
- Avoid inserting cotton buds to remove ear wax.
- Consult a professional to remove excess ear wax.
- Avoid hearing loud noise for long periods of time.
- Avoid smoking.
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Conclusion
The ear is an important sensory organ. A healthier hearing will let you feel the world around you at its finest. A walk in the woods will feel terrific if you can hear the voice of nature. But as we age, there is a higher chance of hearing-related problems. To reduce the risk of future inner ear problems, following a healthy diet will heal.
Include vitamin-rich food items in the diet. Consume Vitamin D foods, and eat dark chocolate to balance your magnesium level. Make sure you are getting enough vitamin B12, vitamin D, and folic acid.
