15 Foods That Reduce Bone Density

How much we all think about our health. We exercise, diet and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. And still, life after a certain age seems tough; especially for those with low bone density. Did you know that there are few foods that reduce bone density? Read on, to know more.

So what is low bone density? It is a condition where the density of your bones is lower making you susceptible to fracture and maybe osteoporosis. Our body is constantly replacing old bone with new and the replacing part gets slow as we age.

Best Exercises For Strong Bones

To maintain a healthy diet, it is also important to know the foods that affect bone. Few foods interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium. Since they are also rich in other essential nutrients, they need not be avoided completely. Here is a list of foods that reduce bone density.

Sodium

Salt provides the necessary sodium for the body. However, too much of sodium can cause the body to get rid of calcium through urine and excrete. Reducing the intake of salt could help prevent the loss of bone.

Oxalates

Oxalates, found in some foods, combined with calcium-rich food may prevent the body from absorbing calcium. Caution must be taken to avoid eating food rich in oxalate with food high in calcium.

Protein

While this is a little debatable, some researchers say that too much protein may cause damage to the bones. A balanced intake of proteins might help avoid this possible problem.

Wheat Bran

100 percent wheat bran is one of the foods that reduce bone density. It contains high amounts of phytates that prevent the body from absorbing calcium.

Beans

Beans, peas and other legumes are rich in phytates and interfere with the absorption of calcium. Though it is one of the foods that affect bone, it is rich in other nutrients including calcium and hence essential. Soaking the legumes in water before cooking is said to reduce phytate content.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms can cause bone inflammation that may lead to osteoporosis. However, no need to avoid it completely, including it in a balanced meal would be ideal.

White Potatoes

White potatoes and other veggies like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are also foods that affect bone. Like mushrooms, they can cause bone inflammation.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in calcium and also oxalate that affects the absorption of calcium.

Meat

Red meat rich in protein is one of the foods that reduce bone density. Protein is essential for the body but regular intake of high-protein meat can cause the body to lose calcium.

Processed Food

Processed food that contain high amount of sodium may be harmful for the bones. It is better to avoid processed meat and canned food and go for a much healthier choice of fresh food.

Bakery Food

Bakery items, while very tasty, contain high amounts of various salt rich in sodium and hence avoidable.

Alcohol

Heavy consumption of alcohol can be damaging for the body for a lot of reasons. It decreases the regeneration of the bones and the all the buzz might just lead to a fracture.

Caffeine

Caffeine may be good in small quantities but too much is too bad as the saying goes. It decreases the absorption of calcium and hence should be consumed sparingly.

Carbonated Drinks

From years, there has been a notion that carbonated drinks dissolve bone. Farfetched it may seem but it's true that it affects the bones. It contains phosphoric acid that affects the intestine, messing with the absorption of calcium.

Supplements

Supplement for Vitamin A affects the absorption of calcium. A substance called retinol in Vitamin A is said to interfere with Vitamin D that helps bones absorb calcium.