10 Foods That Help With Cramps
Cramps are caused when our muscles contract involuntarily, and they can be very painful in some cases. They most often affect people that do a lot of sport, but they can affect other people as well.
Cramps are usually caused by being in poor physical shape, although they can also be caused by other factors. Some people will experience stomach cramps, which can be bought on by different causes. Women can also experience cramps in the abdominal area when they are menstruating.
Fortunately, there are various types of food we can eat to help prevent cramps or at least reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Helpful Cramps Food #1: Chocolate
Chocolate is one of those foods that is often out of bounds, largely due to its high calorific value. While it is true that chocolate is very fattening, that does not mean to say that it is all bad. Indeed, chocolate can be very nutritious and getting some in your diet can be beneficial to your health.
Chocolate contains, among other things, compounds that can help our muscles to relax. This, in turn, can help us to overcome cramps. You should try to bear in mind that dark chocolate is the better choice because it has been processed less and contains fewer unhealthy ingredients.
Helpful Cramps Food #2: Water
Water is one of the most basic requirements that we need. Without it, we would not live for long, but thankfully there is usually plenty of it around. Not only is water necessary for our survival, but drinking plenty of it can also be good for our overall well-being. Drinking plenty of water can even help to reduce cramps.
Cramping is one potential symptom of dehydration, so it makes sense that drinking water will help prevent cramps in some instances. Drinking plenty of water can also help to keep your skin clear, help prevent bloating, and provide a range of other benefits.
Helpful Cramps Food #3: Tea
In some nations, tea is drunk almost religiously. The plant is grown in Asia and deported around the rest of the world where it is one of the most popular beverages on the planet. In addition to being tasty and being a stimulant, it is also thought that tea can provide us with various health benefits.
Of all the teas made from the tea plant, green tea is perhaps the most beneficial where our health is concerned. It is thought to be able to help us burn off fat, while it can also help us to overcome cramps. Just bear in mind that tea also contains caffeine and this is generally not advised for pregnant women.
Helpful Cramps Food #4: Calcium
Cow’s milk is packed full of nutrients. It needs to be as, after all, it is intended to help young calves grow as quickly as possible. As such, it is a good source of fats, vitamins, proteins, and minerals, including calcium. Milk’s high calcium content is why it is encouraged that children should drink it often.
Dairy products, however, can cause cramps so they might need to be avoided. Instead, you can turn to other sources for your calcium such as leafy greens, almonds, and sesame seeds. This calcium will help to prevent cramps rather than causing them, while also helping to keep your skeleton in good condition.
Helpful Cramps Food #5: Pineapple
The debate still rages on as to whether or not it is OK to put pineapple on a pizza. Wherever you stand on the matter, pineapple does have other uses and is great in a fruit salad. Pineapple is very refreshing and also very nutritious, while it can also help to relieve us of bloating.
In addition to being delicious, pineapple also contains compounds that help to relax our muscles, thus preventing cramps. It is also thought that it can give our mood a boost in addition to helping overcome uncomfortable muscle contractions. Pineapple can also be prepared in a wide number of ways and can be eaten just as it is.
Helpful Cramps Food #6: Salmon
Fish is generally very good for us, depending on how it has been prepared. Fish is low in fat, low in calories, yet very high in nutrients. It is an excellent source of very high-quality proteins, while salmon is a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In addition to being very healthy for our brain, salmon also has anti-inflammatory properties and this can help with cramps. Salmon is also often prepared smoked or completely raw, which means it does not come with other ingredients that are unhealthy for us. It is often recommended for women that are suffering from menstruation cramps.
Helpful Cramps Food #7: Yogurt
Cramps can affect pretty much any muscle in the body, but they quite often occur in the stomach. This is often as a result of indigestion, although there are other potential causes. They can be very difficult to bear, potentially leaving the patient incapacitated. The good news is that yogurt may be able to help.
Yogurt is a good source of calcium and this in itself can help to reduce cramps. In addition, live yogurt is a very good source of bacteria that help us to break down our food, potentially preventing indigestion and other problems that can lead to cramp.
Helpful Cramps Food #8: Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is popular among kids, while there is nothing to stop adults from enjoying it as well. The “butter” effect actually comes from the fact that peanuts contain a lot of fat, albeit healthy fats. It is nutritious, tasty, and goes great on toast. Peanut butter can also help to prevent cramps.
Peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E. This vitamin is very good for us in a wide number of ways, including preventing inflammation and cramping. Regardless, vitamin E and other nutrients in peanut butter are good for us so it is a good idea to give some to the kids, or even to yourself.
Helpful Cramps Food #9: Hummus
Hummus is made by mashing chickpeas with other ingredients such as olive oil. It is already very popular in some parts of the world and its popularity is increasing elsewhere. In addition to being tasty, hummus is also nutritious and has a place in many healthy eating diets.
What’s more is that hummus can also help to overcome cramps. The chickpeas that hummus is made from contains compounds that can help us to relax and this can be just what is needed for overcoming cramps. Hummus can be prepared and eaten in a variety of ways and you will find plenty of recipes online.
Helpful Cramps Food #10: Spinach
Spinach is a leafy vegetable that is well known for being very nutrient dense. It is a good source of numerous vitamins and minerals and this includes calcium. Indeed, spinach is so nutritious for us that many people consider it to be a superfood.
The calcium in spinach can help to prevent and overcome cramps. It is often recommended to women with menstruation cramps and it can be prepared in a wide variety of ways. In addition to spinach, you could also try another type of superfood, a type of cabbage known as kale.
