Back pain is a common condition that affects approximately one in four adults. It is estimated that up to 90 percent of people will experience some degree of back pain at some point in their lives.

In 2018, The Lancet reported that back pain was one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Additionally, the World Health Organization predicts that the prevalence of back pain will continue to rise in the coming years. While there are numerous factors that contribute to the development of back pain, diet is often overlooked as a crucial element.

Thankfully, there are several health measures that can help prevent and alleviate this problem.

Recent studies have identified gluten, sugary foods, and fatty foods as common contributors to back pain.

Gluten, for instance, has been found to have detrimental effects on the back, as highlighted by a 2020 study published in the journal Medical Hypotheses.

The study focused on low-back pain associated with spondyloarthritis, a condition linked to gut health. The findings revealed that adhering to a gluten-free diet improved low back pain by 80 percent.

Similar to gluten, sugar can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, leading to back pain. Additionally, consuming excessive amounts of sugar can contribute to weight gain, which puts extra pressure on the joints and increases the risk of back pain.

Michelle Zive, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego, emphasized “There is no doubt that the food and beverages we eat in our bodies affect our health and well-being.

“This is also true of the relationship between what you eat and drink and inflammation and pain.”

The consumption of sugar prompts the release of insulin and stress hormones into the bloodstream, which can trigger inflammation—the root cause of chronic pain.

“These chemicals, in turn, can trigger inflammation, which is one of the most common causes of chronic pain.”

Inflammation occurs when the body sends white blood cells to an injured or infected area.

In some cases, fatty foods can cause inflammation of the gallbladder, a small organ situated below the liver. The gallbladder releases bile to aid in the digestion of fats. When the gallbladder is overloaded with fat, it becomes inflamed, resulting in pain typically concentrated in the upper abdomen but potentially radiating to the back.

Additionally, a high-fat diet can lead to excess weight, placing extra stress on the spine and joints. This can cause a permanent and exaggerated arch in the back, resulting in pain.

In conclusion, diet plays a significant role in the development and management of back pain. Gluten, sugary foods, and fatty foods have been identified as common contributors to this condition.

Following a gluten-free diet, reducing sugar intake, and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate back pain and promote overall well-being.

Source:

Image Credit: Shutterstock