This Holiday Drink Can Weaken Your Bones, According to Orthopedic Surgeons
One holiday drink that you might assume is good for your bones is hot chocolate. After all, the main ingredient is milk! However, both Dr. Smith and Dr. Mehta suggest that the sugar in hot chocolate counteracts some of the bone-supporting benefits that milk provides. “Traditional hot chocolate can deliver calcium and protein from milk—both great for your bones—but the benefits can be outweighed if it’s loaded with sugar or whipped cream,” Dr. Mehta says.Both doctors agree that when it comes to hot chocolate and bone health, what matters most is one’s overall diet, lifestyle, medical history and genetics. “If your diet is generally balanced, you might be able to afford a treat. The impact on bone health only occurs if your overall diet is high in sugar and unhealthy fats,” Dr. Mehta says.
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How exactly does a diet high in sugar weaken bones? Dr. Smith explains that excess sugar interferes with how calcium is absorbed in the body. Dr. Mehta adds that another reason why consuming too much sugar negatively impacts bone health is that it causes inflammation. “Chronic inflammation interferes with the normal bone remodeling process, which is the constant breakdown and rebuilding that keeps your bones strong,” she says.
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Holiday Drinks That Support Bone Health
“If you cannot live without it, making hot chocolate at home without added sugar is possible if you use unsweetened cocoa and a natural sweetener. In this way, you can benefit from calcium and antioxidants without consuming most of the sugar,” Dr. Smith says.
Dr. Mehta agrees, recommending making homemade hot chocolate with unsweetened cocoa and a little honey. “That way, you get the comfort and the nutrients without as much sugar, which could hurt your bone health in the long run if your diet is unbalanced,” she says.
Another warm drink that she recommends for bone health is green tea. “Studies show its antioxidants are linked with better bone density and may help protect bone cells from damage,” she says.
“You can absolutely enjoy some treats. Just make sure they fit into an overall healthy pattern that supports strong bones for life,” Dr. Mehta says. That way, your bones will be strong enough to support you for many years to come.
Related: The One Common Supplement Combination That Can Actually Weaken Your Bones
Sources:
Dr. Jeremy Smith, MD, orthopedic surgeon for the Hoag Orthopedic InstituteDr. Pamela Mehta, MD, orthopedic surgeon and founder of Resilience Orthopedics in Los Gatos, CaliforniaDiNicolantonio, J.J., Mehta, V., Zaman, S.B., et al. (2018). Not Salt But Sugar As Aetiological In Osteoporosis: A Review.Missouri Medicine. 115(3):247-252Yang, S., Sun, Y., Kapilevich, L., et al. (2023). Protective effects of curcumin against osteoporosis and its molecular mechanisms: a recent review in preclinical trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 14:1249418 Shen, C.L., Yeh, J.K., Cao, J.J., et al. (2012). Green Tea and Bone Health: Evidence From Laboratory Studies.Pharmacological Research. 64(2):155-161Hence then, the article about the cozy holiday drink that quietly weakens your bones was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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