Blog

5 ESSENTIAL FOODS TO IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY

Do you wake up with lower back pain? Can’t touch your toes? Tight hips and hamstrings? It’s time to loosen up and improve your overall fitness. If you want to improve your body flexibility and muscle recovery you must look at your diet anyway. There are foods you can eat that will reduce inflammation and improve mobility. Flexibility in joints depends in part on the connective tissue that surrounds muscles.

Two key components of connective tissue are the naturally-occurring proteins collagen and elastin. They provide both strength and elasticity. Additionally, lubrication in connective tissue helps the fibers slide over one another.

Add these 5 flexibility-enhancing foods to your diet and you’ll improve limberness in no time.

Water

Water is one of the most essential components of life. About 80% percent of our muscles contain water. In fact, one of the leading causes of inflexibility is chronic dehydration. Your water needs intake will depend on your overall health, level of activity, metabolic rate, the climate of where you are, etc The standard guidelines for daily water intake is to drink one half to one ounce per pound of your body weight.

Salmon

Animal protein, such as fish or beef provides sulfur to our body. Fresh wild caught salmon steak, is one of the types of seafood high in sulfur. Sulfur is an essential nutrient for the flexible bonds in connective tissues. It supports healthy joints through the production of healthy connective tissues such as cartilage and ligaments. Sulfur also works as a detoxifying agent by removing certain toxins from the body. Salmon contains essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. These important fatty acids you must consume with food because they cannot be made in the body.

Ginger

You need to include ginger in your diet to enhance body flexibility. Not only ginger can boost your immune but due to its anti-inflammatory properties and stimulating effect on the circulatory system will keep your ligaments, joints, and tendons healthy and flexible. If you’re recovering from any sports injury, consider adding some ginger to your daily diet plan.

Turmeric

This super herb is known for reducing inflammation and as a powerful pain reliever. Like ginger, turmeric is a strong anti-inflammatory and circulatory system stimulator. According to a new publication in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, turmeric could also help improve your muscle recovery with makes it perfect for athletes who seek to boost overall exercise performance. You can drink it raw in the morning or take it in powder or capsule form.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Collagen is the main protein from which the human body’s connective tissue is made. Zinc and vitamin C are essential for the production of collagen, wound healing, and immune system function. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, beet greens, and kale are excellent sources of vitamin C and Zinc. Load up your salad with green leafy vegetables to support flexibility, fight belly bloat, relieve stress, and support bone health and connective tissue health.

It is not always easy to find a balance between work, diet, and fitness goals while maintaining life and a happy family. However, a well-balanced diet is your number one priority and a key to health, wellness, and longevity. A diet full of vegetables, fruits, berries, lean proteins, wholesome grains, nuts, and healthy fats will enhance the quality of your life, help you to avoid serious illness, and will keep your body healthy, strong and flexible.

Author’s note

Yoga is one of the best ways to stay fit, healthy, and full of energy. Consider including 2-3 yoga classes a week. You can find many free workout videos on youtube. Consistent yoga practice can help you lose weight, build strength and promote body flexibility.