By Introduction
Back pain can ruin your quality of life. It can affect your job, exercise and sleep. Medical treatment can help, but there are certain beverages that can make it worse. Knowing which drinks to avoid can help reduce your chances of further discomfort or injury.
This guide covers popular drinks from the grocery store and restaurants. It will also tell you about ingredients that could worsen your back pain. Avoiding certain drinks can help reduce your risk of further issues and support a speedy recovery.
Caffeinated Drinks
Avoid caffeine if you have back discomfort! It can cause dehydration, worsen muscle spasms and increase anxiety. Coffee, energy drinks and soda are all caffeinated. So, these should be avoided if you have back pain.
What else can help ease the pain? Let’s explore that.
Coffee
Coffee is the top source of caffeine in the US. A cup may contain up to 350 milligrams. Caffeine narrows blood vessels, which can lead to less blood flow in your muscles. Coffee also causes slight dehydration, which can worsen joint or muscle pain.
Monitor your coffee intake or switch to decaf. If you have back pain, try herbal tea, lemonade, or juice instead.
Tea
Tea is a great choice for those who wish to avoid caffeine-filled drinks that can make back pain worse. Although tea does contain caffeine, drinking it in moderation – 2-3 cups per day – may bring relief from discomfort.
Decaffeinated teas contain small amounts of caffeine – usually between 0 and 12 milligrams per cup – depending on the type you choose. Decaffeinated green, white and black teas are ideal for those with back pain as they still offer flavour without the risk of additional discomfort.
Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free and come in a range of flavours, such as peppermint and spearmint, chamomile and orange blossom. These herbal brews provide more than just quenching your thirst – they also have health benefits like improved digestion and energy boost.
Soft Drinks
Soft drinks, such as colas, can worsen back pain. Sugar gives an initial burst of energy but causes a major crash. Caffeine stimulates the body to produce stress hormones like cortisol. This is bad for back problems as it increases pain.
To counterbalance the sudden blood sugar spike, the body must produce more insulin. This has health effects, so it is best to avoid soda, particularly if you have spinal issues.
Healthier alternatives are tea or coffee. They contain less caffeine and no added sugars or sweeteners.
Alcoholic Beverages
Sadly, many much-loved alcoholic drinks can make back pain worse. Alcohol stops your body from taking in vitamins and minerals which give your spine relief. Beer, wine and hard liquor are some of the beverages to stay away from. So, why do these drinks cause back pain? Let’s take a closer look.
Beer
Beer has alcohol and lots of calories. When you drink it often, it can make you gain weight and cause dehydration. This is especially true if you drink a lot over a long period of time.
Beer can also make your back hurt. Drinking it can make your body relax, which can lead to slouching or extra strain on your back. It can also mess with your balance and coordination.
Limit how much beer you drink! Too much alcohol for a long time can ruin your spine. It can cause degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. Plus, it makes it harder to keep proper form when exercising, which is important for back health.
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage beloved by many cultures. But for back pain sufferers, it can be risky due to its high alcohol content. Research has revealed that moderate consumption of wine can be beneficial for health. Especially, red wine has been linked to improved cardiovascular health. However, too much alcohol can lead to weight gain and dehydration, making existing back pain worse.
For wine drinkers, it’s best to select a dry red or white and limit to one glass per day. Any more than this can increase the risk of back discomfort. Also, watch your alcohol intake when attending a function. Getting drunk can worsen pre-existing pain. Doctors suggest avoiding mixed drinks as they contain added sugars and other ingredients that can worsen existing lower back issues or cause weight gain.
Hard Liquor
Hard liquors, such as vodka, rum and whiskey, contain higher levels of ethanol than beer and wine. This can make people feel elated and relaxed, but it can also lead to headaches, nausea and dizziness. Too much hard liquor can also cause muscle tension, making it harder for the body to relax.
Studies have shown that drinking too much alcohol can worsen lower back pain symptoms. Even if you think it has helped you relax and relieve pain temporarily, drinking too much can lead to increased aches and pains the next day.
If you’re dealing with back pain due to injury or a medical condition, try healthier alternatives like herbal teas. These are low in calories and have anti-inflammatory components.
Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks are everywhere. Tempting! But if you’re suffering from back pain, think twice before grabbing that soda. Sugary drinks are full of calories and have no real nutrition. Worse, they can cause inflammation and make your backache worse.
Let’s see why these sugary drinks can be so bad for people with back pain:
Fruit Juices
Fruit juices may seem healthy, but often contain a lot of sugar, artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Such acidity can worsen back pain. Even natural juice can be acidifying. It’s best to opt for water or herbal tea.
For a healthier drink, buy fresh or frozen fruit to avoid added sugars and preservatives. If purchasing juices, select low acid types such as orange, lemon, lime, coconut water, and vegetable juices like carrot, beetroot, kale or celery. Read the label to make sure there are no extra ingredients that could aggravate back pain.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are a popular choice on the field and during workouts. They replace lost sodium, potassium and electrolytes from sweat. But they may not be the best pick for back pain. Sports drinks contain lots of sugar or artificial sweeteners, and ingredients like phosphoric acid which can irritate intestines and cause dehydration, leading to muscle spasms and inflammation.
The American Heart Association suggests no more than 450 calories of added sugars per day for men and 300 calories per day for women – that’s 37 grams each per day. This is considered moderate. However, 16oz servings of many sports drinks exceed these limits with 50-65 grams of sugar.
Despite being marketed as healthy, athletes just need to drink water to replace fluids lost from sweat during exercise. Studies have found that the sugar and electrolytes in sport drinks can be detrimental to performance due to digestive issues or an upset stomach. So make sure you’re hydrated with plain water, not sugary sport or energy drinks!
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are common these days. But their high sugar and caffeine content can cause back pain and disrupt relaxation. They have lots of sugar, ginseng, guarana, and B-vitamins. This mixture makes you more alert, but without the crash of coffee or other non-sugary drinks.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and can worsen existing back pain. Sugar has 150 calories per 12 ounces, which can add to the discomfort. Energy drinks can also lead to dehydration after the high sugar passes through your body. This dehydration can bring muscle tension that strains your spine, resulting in more pain in muscles and joints.
Conclusion
Every person is different, and drinks that may worsen back pain can differ for each individual. Instead of using beverages to mask the pain, try to treat the root cause. If the pain is severe, talk to your doctor.
To improve your physical health and reduce back discomfort, make smart choices. Cut down on sugary and caffeinated drinks and replace them with water, herbal tea, green juices, vegetable smoothies, and plant-based milks like almond or oat milk. Additionally, eat foods that are high in water content such as cucumbers or oranges.
Get on the path to a healthier lifestyle by doing these simple things!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What drinks should I avoid if I have back discomfort?
You should avoid drinks that are high in caffeine, alcohol, or sugar, such as coffee, soda, and energy drinks.
2. Why should I avoid drinks high in caffeine?
Caffeine can dehydrate the body and cause the muscles and joints to become stiff and painful, which can worsen back discomfort.
3. How does alcohol affect back discomfort?
Alcohol can cause inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate back discomfort. It can also dehydrate the body, causing muscle stiffness and pain.
4. Can drinking too much soda worsen back pain?
Yes, soda is high in sugar and caffeine, which can cause inflammation and dehydration in the body and worsen back discomfort.
5. What are some recommended thirst quenchers for people with back discomfort?
Water is the best thirst quencher for people with back discomfort, as it hydrates the body and helps to reduce inflammation. Herbal teas and coconut water are also good options.
6. How can I make sure I’m drinking enough water?
You can use a water bottle with measured increments to track your daily water intake, and set reminders throughout the day to drink water. Flavored water with natural ingredients such as lemon, mint, or cucumber can also make it easier to drink more water.
