By Introduction
Healthy back? Essential. Your spine is the foundation of your body. It supports you, moves you and boosts your daily activities. Various factors can affect your spinal health, even drinks! Some beverages should be avoided if you want a healthy spine.
This guide explains how some drinks may negatively affect your back health and which drinks are beneficial. Get the knowledge!
Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks can be a major cause of back pain. Dehydration is the reason. When your body lacks hydration, it can’t protect the spine and discs that separate the vertebrae – resulting in back pain. Let’s explore the effects sugary drinks have on back health.
Soda
Soda is terrible for your back health. It’s full of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial preservatives. Even diet sodas can be damaging due to their artificial sweeteners. Caffeine in soda can make your spine dehydrated and cause pain. Regular soda also has phosphoric acid. This acid makes calcium leave your bones. Bones need calcium for proper posture and flexibility.
To keep your back healthy, skip the sugary sodas.
Sweetened Tea
Sweetened tea may seem like a good idea on a hot summer day, but be warned: it carries risks. Sweetened teas contain lots of sugar, along with other artificial ingredients and colorings. One can may have 38 grams of sugar – that’s the same as 10 teaspoons! It’s best to avoid these drinks. Too much sugar can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and even spinal issues.
If you want that same flavor, try unsweetened tea with a bit of honey or lemon juice for natural sweetness.
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are becoming popular among youth and athletes, but they can be dangerous for the spine. They contain caffeine and concentrated sugars.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can give you an adrenaline rush, but can also cause fatigue. Too much caffeine can cause headaches, abnormal heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, and mood swings. Furthermore, it can lead to calcium loss, weakening of bones, and harm to the spine.
Sugary drinks can also have short-term effects on the spine. Studies show that drinking one sugary beverage per day can increase the risk of low bone mineral density in the hip or lumbar spine. Therefore, it is important to limit sugary drink consumption.
Water is the best choice, but healthier alternatives such as juice or almond milk can also be used.
Alcohol
It’s a fact that moderate drinking has some health advantages, however, it can still be damaging for people with back pain. Booze can result in dehydration and irritation, which can aggravate existing back pain, or even cause new pain. Let’s delve into the evidence of alcohol’s effects on the spine.
Beer
Once, beer was perceived as a healthier alternate to other types of alcohol, especially for those with back pain. But research has revealed beer has similar adverse effects on the spine as other forms of liquor. Beer drinking can cause dehydration, making you lose spinal discs and suffer more muscle spasms. Because of its high calorie content and acidic pH levels, beer also disrupts your sleep, which worsens back pain.
If you want to drink without making your back pain worse, you can opt for:
- Hard cider (low calories & acidity)
- Red wine (high amount of polyphenols, reducing inflammation)
- Select light beers (low calories).
Remember – you are what you drink! So be responsible.
Wine
Wine, especially red wine, is a prominent alcoholic beverage enjoyed by lots. Red wine has compounds called flavonoids which may serve as antioxidants and help protect against cardiovascular disease. However, drinking excessive wine can lead to dehydration and less lubrication of spinal discs. Thus, the spine’s joints will not move as easily, possibly causing tightness and pain in the neck and back area.
It is best to drink one or two glasses of wine a day to decrease the possibility of spine issues due to alcohol consumption.
Spirits
Spirits like whiskey, brandy, and cognac are distilled alcoholic drinks made from grains or fruits. They have 40-50% alcohol.
When it comes to alcohol content, spirits are most economical. A one-ounce shot may not make you drunk if taken in one go. But, if you drink more, you could easily reach your tipping point. Too much alcohol can affect your life and health, including back pain relief.
If you want to enjoy a drink without straining your spine, choose lower-proof spirits instead of higher proof ones. For example:
- Liqueurs are less potent than brandies
- Gin is less potent than whiskey
- Vodka is less potent than rum
Many cocktails also use lower-proof spirits.
For back pain sufferers, the key is to avoid drinking too much and choose lighter proof options.
Caffeinated Drinks
Caffeine is a daily must-have for many. But, beware – too much of it can hurt your back! It can make you dehydrated, damage your spinal discs and even cause spasms.
Let’s have a look at why caffeinated drinks are so damaging to the back!
Coffee
Coffee is a popular caffeinated drink, but too much can have negative side effects. These include: stomach cramps, heartburn, GERD, and changes in blood sugar levels. Dehydration and sleep problems can also be caused by drinking too much coffee.
Harvard University research found that those who drank two or more cups of coffee daily were twice as likely to have a slipped disc. For those who drank four or more cups per day, the risk was three times higher.
Moderate amounts of caffeine (1-2 cups) can be beneficial. But, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with excessive consumption. And, that it’s best to avoid too much coffee if you have weak spine or back pain.
Tea
Tea is a great option for those looking for an energy boost, as it contains fewer calories than other drinks. Herbal teas, such as chamomile, hibiscus, and rooibos, don’t contain any caffeine. Teas with caffeine include green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, matcha powder, yerba mate and guayusa.
Green tea has less caffeine than the other teas.
Drinking caffeinated tea in moderation (up to 300 mg per day) can help manage back pain due to its ability to increase serotonin levels in the brain and reduce inflammation.
If you’re looking for more variety in caffeinated drinks, consider instant coffee or cold brew coffees. They have lower amounts of sugar and calories.
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks can give an energy boost due to caffeine or other stimulants. They have more calories than other caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea, so they can be empty calories. There are many types of energy drinks on the market with various amounts of caffeine. They may have some health benefits, but also risks. It’s best to talk to a doctor before drinking a lot of any caffeinated drink.
The caffeine in energy drinks can range from 100 mg per 8-oz cup. Ingredients labels should be read carefully as some may contain other substances like guarana, kola nut, taurine, and ginseng root extract which can add to the total caffeine count. People who drink energy drinks may have a heightened sense of alertness, increased heart rate, and blood pressure. These effects often go away quickly, but can come back if more is consumed.
Excessive consumption of these drinks can lead to:
- Dehydration
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Insomnia in adults and children if taken too much or over long periods of time.
Healthy Alternatives
Want a healthier back? Struggling to find an alternative beverage? Here are some of the best drinks for your back health and the ones to avoid. Reach for something other than your regular sugary drink or iced tea. These alternatives can help reduce your risk of back pain!
- Best drinks:
- Drinks to avoid:
Water
When it comes to beverages and back health, water is the best. Hydrating helps support healthy discs, bones, muscles, and ligaments. It keeps them lubricated. Healthy drinking usually means low calories and sugar. Sparkling or mineral waters are great. Fluoride-rich minerals protect teeth and bones, and reduce inflammation.
Other healthy alternatives to soda:
- Fresh juices with low sugar
- Homemade smoothies
Sweetened beverages can add calories. This can lead to weight gain and spine problems.
Herbal Tea
Herbal teas have endless flavors. But, they don’t always have the same health perks as green and black teas. So, read labels carefully. Labels should specify the ingredients.
Some herbs with medicinal properties include: ginger, echinacea, peppermint, lemongrass, valerian root, chamomile, licorice root, rosehips, and hibiscus flowers. You can buy them separately to make your own tea blend. Or, combine with green or black tea. For flavor and health, you can buy pre-blended herbal teas.
Other healthy options are natural caffeine-free drinks, green juices, smoothies, and kombucha. SHOT OF LIFE is a kombucha drink available in natural food stores.
Unsweetened Fruit Juice
Cranberry (or cran-apple) juice, unsweetened, is a great option for those who want to quench their thirst without added sugar. It counts as one of five recommended portions of fruit and veg each day. But be careful, it can be high in sugar if not consumed in moderation.
Read the labels properly – make sure it says “100% Juice”. Also, diluting it with water will reduce calories and provide a lighter flavour.
Conclusion
Choosing a beverage wisely is key to protecting your back health. Water and green tea are healthy options. They give hydration and other benefits. Sodas, sugary drinks, and energy drinks can harm your spine. Alcohol is bad too, it reduces blood supply and decreases collagen production.
Knowing these facts will help you make the best choice for your spine in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of beverages should I avoid for back health?
A: Beverages that contain high levels of caffeine and sugar should be avoided as they can contribute to inflammation, which can worsen back pain. Examples include energy drinks, soda, and sweetened coffee drinks.
2. Is drinking alcohol bad for my back?
A: Alcohol can contribute to dehydration, which can exacerbate back pain. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can weaken the muscles that support the spine, making it more susceptible to injury.
3. Are sports drinks a good option for hydration and back health?
A: While sports drinks can be effective at replenishing electrolytes lost during strenuous exercise, they often contain high levels of sugar and artificial additives that can cause inflammation and worsen back pain.
4. What about fruit juice and smoothies?
A: Some fruit juices and smoothies can be high in sugar and carbohydrates, which can contribute to inflammation and worsen back pain. It’s best to opt for fresh, whole fruits and vegetables instead.
5. Are there any beverages that can actually help my back health?
A: Water is the best option for staying hydrated and supporting overall back health. Additionally, beverages that are high in antioxidants, such as green tea, may help reduce inflammation and provide other health benefits.
6. Can drinking enough water help prevent back pain?
A: Absolutely! Staying well-hydrated can help keep spinal discs healthy and hydrated, which can reduce the risk of developing back pain. It’s recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water per day for optimal health.
