Good Nutrition Linked to Reduced Hearing Loss in Women

What do hearing loss and eating healthy foods have in common? According to a new study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers, it might be more than we think. Sharon Curhan, MD, an epidemiologist and the study’s first author, remarked, “Eating well contributes to overall good health, and it may also be helpful in reducing the risk of hearing loss.”

Healthy Diets 

Optimal nutrition has long been accepted as a proven way to maintain weight and prevent or manage diet-related conditions such as diabetes. New studies continue to be conducted, however, as researchers seek to further uncover links between eating well and other aspects of our health. The study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital specifically looked at the link between 3 different diets and hearing health in 70,966 women over a span of 22 years. Participants followed 1 of 3 diets: 

1. The Alternative Mediterranean Diet (AMED), a diet rich in foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, and fish,
2. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, including fruits, vegetables, foods that are low in sodium, and dairy items that are low in fat, and
3. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), a diet which includes foods from both the AMED and DASH regimens.

Reduced Hearing Loss Risk 

The study found that those women who closely followed the AMED or DASH diet had a 30% less risk of moderate or worse hearing loss than those who did not. Other data from the research indicated that the percentage may have been even greater than 30% in some women, possibly connected with the following of the AHEI-2010 diet. Although the study did not determine exactly how eating healthy reduced the risk of hearing loss, it did confirm a link between the two.

Take Control of Your Health 

In a world in which so much is out of our own personal control, it is encouraging to find things that we can control, especially when it pertains to our health and quality of life. This study provides great hope for women by linking healthy diets and reduced risk of hearing loss. Until further studies are conducted that include both men and women, however, we can’t make the same conclusion for men, but in the meantime, it doesn’t hurt to eat well and improve your overall health!

Read the full article at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180511123022.htm