Compliance with Mediterranean Diet and Evaluation of Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity in Individuals with Hearing Loss

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate compliance with the Mediterranean diet and dietary total antioxidant capacity in individuals with hearing loss.

Subjects and Methods: The study was carried out on 87 individuals aged between 31-60 years, diagnosed with hearing loss. The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (MEDAS/PREDIMED) was used to determine adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Food consumption was determined by 24-hour retrospective food consumption record and food consumption frequency form. Dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) amounts were determined using the database determined by Carlsen et al. using the iron ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) method.

Results: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low in 51.7%, moderate in 24.1%, and high in 24.1% of the subjects. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was found to be higher in females than males (71.4% vs. 28.6%) (p:0.000). The DTAC’s of individuals with “good” compliance with the Mediterranean diet (18.9±5.56 mmol/1000 kcal) were compared to those with “bad” (12.77±8.44 mmol/1000 kcal), as well as daily intake of A (1386.90±302.92 REmcg), E (16.37±8.10) mg), vitamin C (186.96±73.21 mg) were also higher than the “moderate” ones (970.06±372.83 REmcg, 10.84±6.38 mg and 0.86±0.31 mg, respectively) (p:0.002, 0.045, 0.048, respectively). A positive correlation was determined between the scale score of adaptation to the Mediterranean diet and daily vitamins A, C, intakes and DTAC in females (p<0.05).

Conclusion: It was determined that the adherence to the Mediterranean diet was poor in individuals with hearing loss, and that antioxidant nutrients intake and DTAC were lower in those with poor compliance. It has been pointed out that the intake of these nutrients increases as compliance increases, especially in females.