Did you know? These 4 nutrients can reduce the absorption of calcium in your body

We all want to be fit and healthy, and yet, we inundate ourselves with so much wrong information that does more harm than good. We’ve often heard the older generation advise us on having calcium-rich foods, so that our bones stay in shape when we hit our 60s. What’s more, good bone health also means you stay active when you’re old. While the intentions are great, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are making the right food choices. Yes, what we mean by this is that you might think of certain foods to be “great” for you, but they might wreak havoc on your bone health. 

Ready to know all about them?

1. Phytates are not good

You might believe that noshing on high-fibre foods is a great idea; after all, they contain phytates. But guess what? They prevent the body from absorbing calcium in other foods. That’s exactly why you must always avoid having cereal with milk, macaroni and cheese or having a glass of milk with baked beans. These taste great together, but are going to harm you in more ways than one. Do not eat them at the same time!

2. Oxalic acid reduces calcium absorption

It is important to remember that foods that are high in oxalic avoid hinder the absorption of calcium, by binding the mineral. Foods like spinach are packed with oxalic acid, but the body is unable to absorb the calcium it provides. There are some other foods that contain oxalic acids. These include beet greens and sweet potatoes.

foods that reduce calcium absorption
Timely management of calcium deficiency is necessary. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
3. Protein can also be the culprit

For the longest time, we’ve heard that eating protein in large quantities can cause the kidneys to flush calcium out of the body, but on the other hand, some also say that it may increase calcium absorption. Make sure you avoid certain food combinations: beef stew with milk, chili or steak dinner. Do not have milk with your meal, enjoy it later. 

4. Don’t have beer, cheese and snacks together

For the unversed, alcohol and salty foods can really flush out calcium from your body. In fact, as the calcium levels decrease in the body, the body extracts calcium from your bones to function properly. This makes the bones porous, and in extreme cases, can also lead to osteoporosis.