Beware: These Foods That Can Weaken Your Bones

There is no denying that strong bones mean a healthier you. Strong & healthy bones are the foundation stone of a happy, active, independent, and healthy lifestyle. They provide structural support to the body, give it shape & stability, enable walking & movement, and make them less prone to fractures & injuries. 

It is essential to prioritize bone health, but how?

When it comes to maintaining bone health, our diet has a crucial role in helping maintain it. Consuming the right nutrient is important for promoting bone health & prevent complications. However, what if we told you that some foods might be secretly deteriorating your health? Don’t be shocked! You read that right. Here in this blog, we’ll uncover such foods jeopardizing your health. Read on to know them and make smart dietary choices for stronger bones.

Foods That Are Bad For Your Bones:

• Carbonated Drinks: If sodas & other carbonated drinks are your forever pick, you should stop or at least limit their intake. Such drinks might be quenching your thirst and satisfying your taste buds but not good for your bones and overall health. Due to their high acid phosphoric content, these can interfere with your body’s calcium absorption ability and lead to weak bones over time. So, switch your drinks to healthy alternatives like smoothies, shakes, and more.
• Excessive Salt: Another component that’s hurting your bone is excess salt. High sodium diet usually increases urine production, which contributes to calcium loss. Hence, it is crucial to keep a tab on your salt or sodium intake & limit it to protect your bones' health.
• Excess Caffeine: Are you a caffeine lover? Pause & read this. Having a pleasant cup of coffee is might what amazes you, but having it in excessive quantity can hinder calcium absorption, affect bones & increases one’s risk of osteoporosis. It is critical to strike a healthy balance to enjoy your daily dose of coffee without compromising your bone health.
• High Sodium Processed Foods: Processed foods are often packed with excessive amounts of salts, unhealthy preservatives & fats that could take a toll on our overall health, especially bone health. Most ingredients of processed foods contribute to poor bone health. Hence, to take charge of the condition, balance or limit your intake of high-sodium processed foods.
• Sugary Treats: Everyone loves sugar, but indulging too much of it can lead to inflammation, unnecessary weight gain & nutrient deficiencies, which further can weaken the bones and impact overall health. If you have a sweet tooth, it is essential to switch to healthy alternatives to satisfy your sweet cravings, as it is vital to maintain good bone health.
• High Oxalate Foods: There are certain foods like raw spinach & beet greens contain high amounts of oxalate, which can restrict your bone’s calcium-absorbing quality & can lead to several other issues. Balancing them with our foods or taking them correctly is the key to getting all its other benefits.
• Red Meat & Processed Meat: No denying protein is crucial for maintaining good bone health, but excessive consumption can turn the table, and not in a good way. Too much red or processed meat is often linked with increased bone loss. So, indulge it in a healthy amount to gain all its benefits.
• Excessive Vitamin A: Vitamin A has a significant role in keeping our overall health in check. However, excessive intake can interfere with bone problems, such as weak bones. Understanding the importance of maintaining a correct balance or exploring the option is essential to keep your bone health in check.
• Alcohol Abuse: Alcohol is not good for your health, so now you have another reason to go easy on it. Chronic alcohol consumption can contribute to low bone mass, poor bone formation & high risks of bone fractures.

Most bone problems start due to a deficiency of Vitamin D. Therefore, measuring its levels in time and managing them in time is crucial to avoid complications. Being mindful of what you eat or drink is necessary to protect & strengthen bone health. While these foods have been highlighted as harmful to your bones, incorporating them in your diet in moderation is still the key that makes all the difference.

Also, if you want to know more about Vitamin D and if you are deficient in it, then check out this insightful read - Vitamin D Myth Vs. Facts- Know All About the Sunshine Vitamin - MyHealth

Foods That Are Good For Your Bones Health

What Else Can Be Done?

Besides eating healthy, improving your lifestyle, switching to bone-friendly exercise, and taking diagnosis seriously (if you have symptoms, risk, or existing problem) are essential for lifelong bone health.

Early Diagnosis Can Benefit Your Bone Health

Timely diagnosis of bone health allows the detection of several bone issues early, enabling early treatment to prevent complications. In addition, it prevents the progression of the disease further and allows effective treatment planning. Since it has a significant role in preserving bone health, getting it done from a reliable source is equally important. Whether your doctor has suggested a Vitamin D Test or Bone Density Test, Redcliffe Labs is the one-stop diagnostic service provider you can trust. Book your test with us to get tested comfortably from home.