It’s very easy to come across articles discussing foods that can help ward off osteoporosis as there are tons and tons of them posted in cyberspace. However, when was the last time you spotted one that talked about foods that, when eaten, can actually lead to bone weakening? It probably never happened yet — until now!
Below you will find some of the foods you need to avoid if you are diagnosed with osteoporosis. You may also steer clear of them if you want to keep your bones tough for the rest of your life.
Calcium-rich foods — we all know that they’re the ones we should regularly include in the diet to keep our risk of having osteoporosis low. Then we also have to consume foods that contain vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus and copper as they, too, are important role players in strengthening the bones, say the experts.
But no matter how often you eat foods that contain the said nutrients, it amounts to nothing if you also regularly consume foods that are known to weaken the bones. If you want to live a life that’s free of osteoporosis, you should also be familiar with the said foods so that you may avoid them accordingly.
Here are the some of the foods to say “no” to if you have osteoporosis or you don’t intend on getting it:
Legumes
Beans, peas and lentils are all loaded with protein and fiber, and that’s why they’re good for you. However, they also contain phytates that can interfere with calcium absorption. But luckily, there is an effective way to considerably reduce the amount phytates in legumes, and that is by soaking them in water for hours before cooking.
Spinach
One of the many nutrients found in spinach is calcium. However, there are oxalates present in spinach that are known to bind with calcium, leaving the said mineral inaccessible to the body. Experts suggest for you to eat spinach together with other calcium-containing foods to keep your bones strong.
Sweets
There are so many different health problems you may encounter if you have this habit of pleasing your sweet tooth a lot. Excessive sugar consumption is linked to inflammation, and there are so many inflammatory conditions that can considerably increase a person’s risk of osteoporosis.
Soda
It’s not just the high sugar content of soda that can worsen osteoporosis or make it strike, but something else that is yet to be pinned down by scientists. You see, numerous studies have shown that the consumption of 7 or more servings of soda a week resulted in increased fracture risk, most especially among menopausal women.
Coffee
While it’s true that there are numerous health benefits that coffee offers, a 2016 study revealed that caffeine caused calcium to escape the bones, leaving them weakened. If you are a coffee drinker and you have osteoporosis, it’s a good idea to switch to decaffeinated coffee. You also might want to look for alternatives to black and green teas.
Red Meat
Just like caffeine, red meat is something that can cause the bones to lose calcium. If you have osteoporosis or you simply don’t want to have it, consider limiting your intake of red meat — experts suggest no more than twice a week. Also, do your best to stay away most especially from processed or cured meats.
Salty Foods
According to the experts, sodium is something that causes calcium to be flushed out of the body. The saltier the foods you eat, the more calcium you lose. If you want to keep osteoporosis from striking or worsening, consider limiting your daily sodium intake to below 2,300 milligrams a day.
Do you have family members or dear friends who are diagnosed with osteoporosis or are simply doing their best to keep their bones strong? Then have this article reposted on your various social media sites to let them know which foods they should avoid in order to keep their bones out of harm’s way!
