The holidays are a time for family get-togethers and giving gifts!
But the holidays are also the time of year when sweets are available en masse, which can cause problems if you are dealing with back pain.
If you suffer from inflammatory back pain, think twice before you indulge in too many cookies or pieces of fudge this holiday season.
Research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that sugar can have a significant impact on inflammation in the body. While there are many negative health impacts that come from eating refined sugar, inflammation in particular can be a problem for your back.
How does eating sugar cause back pain?
Before we dive into the answer, it’s important to know that there are two basic kinds of back pain.
The first is mechanical back pain. This kind of back pain comes when you are lifting something with improper technique and you damage your tissue or skeleton. You know that feeling when you spend all day bent over pulling weeds in your garden? That’s mechanical back pain.
The second type of back pain is inflammatory back pain, AKA ankylosing spondylitis or axial spondyloarthritis, which are both forms of inflammatory arthritis. This typically occurs because your immune system is mistakenly attacking the joints in your spine, causing them to swell. This swelling puts pressure on the nerves and joints in your spine, which can cause pain.
Again, according to one 2018 systematic review, the excess consumption of refined sugar can lead to inflammation in the body; sugar exacerbates inflammatory back pain. This is one reason it’s important to be concious of the food you’re putting in your boy, especially during the most sugary time of the year.
People with ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory back pain) may be able to reduce back pain by limiting the amount of sugary foods and beverages they eat, including desserts, candy, pastries, sodas, and juices with added sugars.
Easier said than done, right?
While it’s challenging to say no to cookies, fudge and other holiday treats, it’s worth it. You can help stave off inflammatory back pain when you avoid foods that cause inflammation, especially sugar. The latest research suggests that when people eat less sugar, inflammatory markers in their blood decrease.
Plus, avoiding excess sugar and other refined foods can reduce your overall body weight, which can also alleviate back pain by putting less stress on your back and other joints.
Try your best to stay disciplined when it comes to sugar this holiday season. You just might be able to stop back pain before it starts.
If you’re looking for alternatives to cookies, fudge and hot cocoa, consider these low-sugar and no-sugar dessert options.
Don’t be afraid to sacrifice sweets for the sake of your spine and mobility. It’s worth it.
If you’re looking for relief from your back pain, don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 214-823-2052. With offices in Addison and Dallas, our team serves residents in Dallas, Addison, Plano, Frisco, Garland, and other cities in the DFW metroplex.
