Drinks that are constantly weakening our bones

According to experts, most of the popular winter drinks contain excess sugar, which is not good for bone health in the long run.

When winter comes, many people start or end their day with a cup of frothy coffee, hot chocolate, eggnog, or milk tea. And when you go on vacation somewhere in the winter, hot chocolate and coffee at resorts or hotels are mandatory. Although these drinks are fun to drink, many people do not know that they cause terrible damage to our body. Doctors say that drinks can silently damage your bones. According to experts, most of the popular winter drinks contain excess sugar, which is not good for bone health in the long run.

According to a Healthline report, our bones are not only the structure of the body, but they also serve as a storehouse of calcium. If the bones are weak, the risk of osteoporosis, fractures, or back pain increases. Dietitian Kejia Joy said that excess sugar increases the amount of calcium excreted in the body through urine. As a result, the calcium needed to maintain bone density decreases.

In addition, regularly consuming too much sugar can also disrupt the function of vitamin D, which is very important for calcium absorption. If this continues for a long time, the bones gradually weaken.

Expert advice on how to control weight without dieting in the New Year

It is difficult to control the temptation of hot chocolate, eggnog or frothy coffee during the holidays. However, experts say that it is wise to eat these drinks in moderation or choose healthier alternatives, even if you do not completely eliminate them. Dietitian Hannah Anderson says that hot chocolate can be made healthier by keeping bone health in mind. Her advice is to use unsweetened cocoa powder, low-fat milk and a little honey, maple syrup or non-nutritive sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit to keep the sugar content in check.

For those who use marketed hot chocolate mixes, she also advises choosing a mix with less sugar. If you want, you can mix chocolate-flavored bone broth or collagen powder with hot water or milk. It will be high in protein, but low in sugar. Anderson also says that functional mushroom blends can also be used to make different flavors of hot cocoa, which adds additional health benefits without sacrificing the taste.

If you like the taste of mulled apple cider, you can try an unsweetened apple cider tea blend instead of a sugary drink. Or you can make a delicious and healthy drink at home with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise, lemon juice and a little apple cider vinegar.

Even when ordering coffee, a little awareness can make a big difference. Anderson says, reduce the sweetness level by saying ‘one pump’ or ‘half sweet’, skip the whipped cream, and choose non-fat or low-fat milk to avoid excess saturated fat. You can sprinkle a little cinnamon or cocoa powder on top for flavor.

Dietician Kezia Joy said that eggnog can be made lighter by simply reducing the amount of added sugar. In addition, fortified unsweetened plant-based milk, low-sugar hot drinks and herbal tea can be good alternatives to enjoy the taste of winter. Drinks that contain protein and minerals and do not have excess sugar help maintain the nutritional balance of the body and also reduce excessive loss of calcium.

Winter or holidays do not mean only drinking harmful drinks. We have to take care of our health, so we have to pay attention to our diet. We cannot eat harmful foods just because they are tasty, which will later cause diseases. It is important to be aware of our food choices from now on to stay healthy in the future. Especially, we cannot eat excess sugar at all.