Higher folates, not antioxidants, can reduce hearing loss risk in men*

Sunday Oct 18, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- High intake of folates or folic acid can help reduce hearing loss by 20 percent, according to new a new study presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in San Diego, CA.

Researchers found men over the age of 60 who had high intake of foods and supplements high in folates reduced their risk of developing hearing loss by 20 percent. Intake of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, E, and beta carotene was not linked to the risk.

Hearing loss, the most common sensory disorder in the United States, affects more than 36 million people in the country.

Foods high in folate include green leafy vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, lettuces, and dried or fresh beans and peas, fortified cereal products and sunflower seeds. Yeast and animal liver and liver products also contain high amounts of folate.

By David Liu - davidl at foodconsumer dot org and editing by Sheilah Downey - sheilahd at foodconsumer dot org