Many of us strive to maintain a healthy diet, but did you know that certain foods are reportedly ‘bad for your back’?
Amid World Spine Day, which is celebrated today (October 16), a spine health expert has taken to TikTok under the handle @highperformancespine to reveal these foods. He also warned that these foods could increase your risk of cancer.
In a video shared with his 517,000 followers, he stated: “Six foods that are bad for your back but also increase your risk of cancer, so you need to get these out of your diet.”
His top food to reduce was fried food, such as chips. He also advised followers to avoid ultra-processed food where possible. “If it comes in a box or a bag at the store, it’s no good,” he declared.
Trans fats were also on his list of foods to avoid, which he labelled as “terrible”, as well as overcooked or charred meats. “If you overcook your meat, you run the risk of increasing your likelihood of cancer,” he warned.
Fifth on his list were processed meats like bacon and sausage. He added: “My favourite but unfortunately, no good.”
Lastly, he recommended avoiding alcohol. “Get these out of your diet, they’re not good for your back, but also increase your risk of cancer. Get them out of there.”
The Spine Group Beverly Hills concurs that foods contributing to back pain inflammation include red meat, processed food, refined grains (like white bread), sugary drinks, conventional snack foods, and any fried food.
Cancer Research UK has highlighted the importance of a healthy diet in reducing cancer risk, advising on its website: “This is one with more fruits and vegetables and foods high in fibre, like brown varieties of bread, rice and pasta,” and adding, “A healthy diet is low in processed and red meat, and low in foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt.”
Echoing this sentiment, the NHS also warns against excessive consumption of processed meats due to increased cancer risk. According to an NHS post on its website: “It is recommended that you do not eat too much red meat, processed meat or meat that is high in saturated fats as this can lead to health problems.”
The post further explains: “Eating too much processed meat and red meat probably increases your risk of bowel (colorectal) cancer. Processed meat can also be high in salt and eating too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure.”
It advises those who consume over 90g (cooked weight) of red or processed meat daily to reduce their intake to 70g. Red meat includes beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison, and goat, while processed meats cover sausages, bacon, ham, deli meats such as salami, canned meats like corned beef, as well as sliced luncheon meats and pâtés.
Additionally, @highperformancespine has been sharing content on social media about foods to avoid for back pain relief, alongside videos on what food can help alleviate back pain and tips for improving it.