5 Surprising Foods That Improve Hearing Health

Bugs Bunny is famous for chomping on carrots to improve his eyesight—but as for the Vitamin A in this vegetable improving night vision?

That’s actually a myth.

Now that we’ve got your eyes covered, what about your ears? Are there any foods that improve hearing?

There are, so read on to learn all about them!

1. Leafy Greens

Take a page from Popeye’s book and up your intake of spinach, kale, collards, and arugula.

You’re likely already aware that these greens, whether cooked or raw, are nutritional powerhouses. Better hearing is just one of many reasons to get your greens on!

The primary reason that these leafy veg will benefit your ears? Folate.

Folate is a vitamin that’s necessary to make DNA and other genetic material as well as to support healthy cell division. That’s why it’s so important for pregnant women to get plenty of folates, although we all benefit from it.

Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens are also fiber-rich and high in vitamins K and A.

2. Salmon

If you love salmon caesar salads, bagels with lox, or a Philadelphia maki roll, you’re in luck.

Salmon is a super-healthy food that can help hearing loss.

This delicious fish is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which can delay or even prevent age-related hearing loss. In addition, the vitamin D found in salmon supports healthy bones. That’s crucial when it comes to good hearing since the ears contain a lot of small but important bones.

3. Oranges and Bananas

What do these two fruits have in common?

Well, aside from making scrumptious smoothies, both bananas and citrus fruits are high in potassium. Potassium supports muscle and nerve function, metabolizes carbs, and regulates fluids in the body. That includes cochlear fluids, which are found in (and necessary for) the ear canal.

Sweet and white potatoes are both great sources of potassium, too. So bake up a tater or order the fruit salad next time you’re out for brunch!

4. Avocados

If you have noise-induced hearing loss, you may want to consider adding magnesium-rich foods to your diet. That’s because magnesium’s neuroprotective benefits include the ability to help with that particular type of hearing problem.

Some of the foods that boast a boost of magnesium are avocados, whole grains, and dark chocolate.

Brown-rice burrito bowl with extra guac? Yes, please!

5. Nuts and Seeds

For those who experience sudden, unexplained hearing loss, zinc is a good choice.

Among this mineral’s many advantages is immune-system protection that can ward off ear infections. People with tinnitus may also see improvement in their condition after adding zinc-rich foods to their diet.

Nuts and seeds are found at the top of that list. Choose peanuts, cashews, and almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. Eat them separately or together in a hearing-health trail mix.