When most people experience back pain, they usually think that it is from putting their body in a funky position or overtraining. These factors can cause back pain, but have you ever considered that your diet could be causing the pain?
Wait, what? Can diet really cause back pain?!
The short answer is, yes. While it is not as simple as bending over the wrong way to pick up a box and you feel your back strain, your diet can lead to back pain too.
It is important to look at your diet and understand how much processed food you eat daily. If you listen to Mind Pump, you know how often the guys preach the importance of avoiding/limiting heavily processed foods. Not only is it typically unhealthy, it is created in a way that makes you want to eat and eat and eat. Haven’t you noticed how you can down a whole bag of chips like it’s nothing? Yet, if you cooked 5 potatoes, you probably would only finish one and feel completely satiated! Heavily processed foods are designed for overconsumption.
So, how is this related to back pain? Let me tell you…
Processed food tends to contain heaps of added sugars and flours (or refined carbs). Studies suggest that refined carbs can cause weight gain, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction due to constant raised blood sugar levels.
When your body is full of inflammation, several symptoms can arise like back pain.
Other symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Body pain
- Indigestion
- Weight gain
- Mood disorders (Anxiety, Depression)
Now if you are experiencing back pain and/or any of these symptoms, there are a few steps you can take to help yourself.
1. Evaluate your diet. Limit heavily processed foods and focus on a whole foods diet.
2. Focus on weight training with correct form.
3. Limit, or take a break from sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. These are known for raising your cortisol levels. If there is too much cortisol in your body, it can get inflamed.
