The bones are arguably the most critical element in the human body. Bones provide structure and facilitate any movement the body makes. However, many people worldwide do not think twice about their bone health. Certain foods and lifestyle habits are detrimental to one’s bone health. Every time an individual eats such foods or carries out those habits, they reduce the strength and longevity of their bones. Here are a few such habits:

Drinking too much coffee
Drinking coffee is a favorite activity for many people. Millions worldwide drink the beverage to keep themselves awake and going while they are working. Unfortunately, caffeine, the chief component of coffee, is not suitable for one’s bones.

Many studies have found that coffee drastically reduces bone density in postmenopausal women. About six milligrams of bone calcium are lost for every 100 milligrams of caffeine one consumes. Therefore, to avoid osteoporosis, a health condition in which the bones become incredibly weakened and porous with time, one must stop drinking caffeine-rich foods or consume them in moderation.

Failing to get enough sunlight
Vitamin D is a vital element when it comes to keeping the bones healthy. Sunlight is an abundant source of vitamin D. Therefore, people must go outdoors more often to expose themselves to early morning sunlight, arguably the richest source of vitamin D. This habit can keep their bones strong and healthy for many years.

Conversely, people who do not get sunlight or cannot step out of their house long enough to expose themselves to the sun are vulnerable to weakened bones and joints.

Sitting on the couch for too long
The body needs frequent movement to prevent stiffness and other flexibility-related issues. If an individual sits on a couch or a chair for too long, they are depriving their body of this all-important movement. Over time, their bones weaken and become less resilient to strain. Also, just as with bad posture, sitting or sleeping for too long can affect the shape of bones in the long run.

Many workplaces have employees sitting in one position for hours before a computer screen. In such workplaces, such individuals must be encouraged to take a quick walk or some rounds of exercise after every few productive hours. Doing so will keep their bones and the rest of their body healthy for a long time.

Consuming too many sugary snacks
Having a sweet tooth is not a problem; however, one needs to keep their sugar consumption in check to keep their blood and bones healthy. When people consume too many sugary snacks, such as donuts and pastries, they may skip other meals because sugary snacks are pretty heavy. This, in turn, means that such individuals are not eating as much nutrient-rich food as they should. Over time, this causes significant bone issues in individuals.

Not performing weight-bearing activities
A weight-bearing activity, as the name implies, is an exercise in which an individual uses their body weight to create the resistance that drives the workout. So, activities such as jogging, hiking, weight training, and walking are considered effective weight-bearing activities. These activities are crucial for boosting one’s bone intensity and mass. Missing out on these activities can come at a cost for individuals. After all, not doing these activities often keeps one’s bones from becoming sturdier and more resilient to knocks and blows.

Spending too much time indoors
Staying perpetually indoors, even if one moves around frequently, is not just detrimental to one’s bones because they are not getting sunlight exposure. Keeping oneself inside a house for long periods deprives them of pure, fresh oxygen and increases their chances of developing weaknesses and sicknesses. Not experiencing the sights and sounds of the external world can cause people to lose interest in any movement or exercise.

Eventually, this can result in poor health and immunity. Ultimately, not stepping out of one’s house is very likely to make one’s bones weaker and more susceptible to osteoporosis due to the sheer lack of sunlight and the other nutrients one can get by breathing fresh air outdoors.

Not working out regularly
Exercise is linked to increasing one’s strength in every way imaginable. Additionally, exercising regularly (if not daily, at least two to three times a week) builds a person’s stamina and strength. The exercise does not have to be overly complicated or taxing on the body. All one needs to do is walk a few rounds in a nearby park or do stretching exercises. Exercising speeds up the process of breathing in and out.

Additionally, workouts help increase the rate of blood circulation in the body. This causes oxygen and nutrients to travel to different vital organs and bones of the body on a much quicker basis. As a result, the bones get nourishment and proper testing regularly, maintaining strength.

Having a poor posture
Many people cannot sit with a straight back due to laziness or back pain. A person develops bad posture when sitting with a bent back in front of their TV or while playing video games for hours daily. This is arguably an even worse problem than insufficient movement throughout the day. While that problem makes the bones weaker, this one can cause bone deformation if kept up for a long time.

Eating food that has too much salt
Salt is a bad food when it comes to blood pressure or bone health. The more salt a person eats, the more calcium they lose. This element extracts calcium from one’s bones and teeth, leaving them brittle and porous. Therefore, while salt is unavoidable, consuming it in moderate proportions daily is still recommended.