There’s nothing more satisfying than enjoying a glass of wine after a long work day. Studies have shown that red wine has health benefits when consumed in moderation, and yet another study confirms that it could specifically benefit your hearing health.
Why Is Red Wine Good for You?
Red wine is packed with antioxidants and tannins, which have been shown to protect against cardiovascular disease. It also contains resveratrol, which is an anti-inflammatory plant compound that acts similar to an antioxidant.
Resveratrol is concentrated in the skins and seeds of red grapes and some berries, like blueberries. It can also be found in chocolate and peanut butter. Some people buy it in a capsule as part of their dietary supplement regimen.
Research shows that resveratrol has positive effects on cognition, blood fats, joint pains, some aspects of aging and even cancer.
How Does Resveratrol Help Hearing?
In 2013, Dr. Michael Seidman and his team at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan investigated the effects of resveratrol on hearing. Specifically, they sought to find out whether consuming resveratrol could help prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
In order to test this, researchers fed healthy rats a resveratrol-rich diet and exposed them to noise levels that could induce hearing loss. They found that the rats who had consumed resveratrol had 50 percent less hearing loss than rats fed a regular, control diet.
Researchers hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory properties in resveratrol could help preserve the delicate hair cells within the inner ear. This preliminary research is promising for people with age-related hearing loss or noise-induced hearing loss, as these types of hearing loss are caused by irreversible damage to the hair cells responsible for converting soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound.
Enjoy Red Wine in Moderation
While it may be tempting during these unprecedented times to down a bottle of wine in the name of good hearing, this is ill-advised. While Dr. Seidman’s research shows promise for the benefits of moderate red wine consumption, there are risks for over-consumption. A 2007 study found that alcohol blunts lower sound frequencies in the speech range, and while this effect may be temporary, repeated episodes can lead to long-term damage.
For more information about preserving your hearing health or to schedule an appointment with an audiologist, call Today’s Hearing!