One of the factors that affect bone health is definitely age. As people grow older, among the other complications, one of the first and foremost things that they notice is weaker bone strength. So, it becomes increasingly important to start including various nutrients in the diet, especially those that help in strengthening the bones. As part of a healthy and balanced diet, people should include everything that the body needs for strong bones, mainly calcium and Vitamin D. While calcium helps in the development of bone and teeth structure, Vitamin D helps the body in the absorption of calcium.
(Also read: Vitamin C Benefits: Load Up On These Foods For Healthy And Strong Bones)
Here's a list of fruits and vegetables that are high in these nutrients and should be included in the regular diet, irrespective of age.
1) Spinach
The green leafy vegetable has loads of calcium and can help in bone and teeth development. A cup of cooked spinach can provide the body with almost 25 percent of its daily calcium requirement. The fiber-rich leaves also contain Vitamin A and iron in abundance. For some healthy spinach recipes, click here.
2) Orange
While this fruit is a favorite among many people, freshly squeezed orange juice provides the body with both calcium and Vitamin D, thereby contributing to bone strength. Regular consumption of orange juice can also prevent osteoporosis. Click here for a simple recipe of Orange Boost — a shake that contains carrots as well and keeps you full for longer.
3) Bananas
Bananas, besides helping the body in digestion, are also a great source of magnesium. The nutrient plays an integral role in bone and teeth structure development. So, a banana a day keeps weak bones away. For some recipes that you can rustle up at home using bananas, click here. From fritters to pakode to korma, you'll find everything.
4) Pineapple
Pineapple doesn't provide Vitamin D and calcium directly to the body – instead, it is a source of potassium that neutralizes acid load in the body and prevents calcium loss. It is also a good source of Vitamin A. Click here for a few pineapple recipes.
5) Strawberries
Berries come with a whole lot of health benefits. They are packed with nutrients such as calcium, manganese, potassium, Vitamin K, and Vitamin C, which helps in the formation of bone structure. For some easy strawberry recipes — from cheesecake to souffles — click here.
6) Papaya
This tropical fruit contains a huge amount of calcium – it is said that in a serving of 100 grams papaya, you can find 20 mg of calcium. Make it a part of your regular diet. Get the best of papayas with these recipes here.
7) Kiwi
Be it the fruit or the juice, kiwis contain the most amount of calcium – almost 60 mg. It helps in developing bone strength, the teeth' structure and also prevents osteoporosis. Click here for a few interesting ways to include kiwi in your diet.
(Also read Bone Health: Rotis Made With Ragi And Bajra Can Strengthen Your Bones Too! )
In case you're wondering how to keep your bones strong, start including these fruits and vegetables in your regular diet. Besides being a contributor to your bone development, they are also a treat for the taste buds.