The Study
Hearing loss in the elderly is closely associated with a decrease in function. In this interesting study, 882 older participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study had their diet monitored for 8 years and had their hearing examined by pure-tone audiometry.
Subjects most closely following a Mediterranean diet had a significantly lower risk of hearing loss by the end of follow-up.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2024; 119:1338-45
Take Home Message
This is the first article I have ever seen that looked at diet and hearing and is yet another reason to consider the Mediterranean diet. The research literature consistently shows that it has a powerful impact on our physical and mental health.
There are several potential mechanisms at play here:
-This diet includes an abundance of vitamins, carotenoids and specific fatty acids that have a positive impact on inner ear health.
-The Mediterranean diet reduces inflammation and oxidative damage.
-This way of eating may improve cochlear blood flow.
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