Muscle cramps are acute sudden severe muscle contraction and hence pain. The causes are multiple and sometimes it could be difficult to know the reason for it. Vegan foods do not usually cause muscle cramps due to their high mineral content. But there are certain foods in the vegan diets that could help prevent and also treat this condition. Let us find out all about it here.
Muscle cramps and leg cramps: causes
The most common reason for muscle cramps is water depletion and electrolyte imbalance in the blood. When a person sweats excessively due to heat or strenuous exercise, electrolyte loss takes place from the body and it precipitates muscle cramps. Dehydration is another very common cause of muscle cramps. Besides, certain prescribed drugs such as diuretics for hypertension could also cause electrolyte imbalance in the blood of the patient and lead to muscle cramps. Potassium and magnesium depletion in the body leads to muscle cramps.
 |
| Healthy vegan foods [Source: Happy Cow] |
Calcium deficiency could also cause muscle spasms and pain. Besides, certain neurological conditions especially irritative lesions of the spine could lead to muscle spasms and pain. Eating a lot of fat or protein or other allergic things could lead to stomach upsets and cramps. This is especially in those who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS.
Vegan foods and the problems of cramps
Vegan diets are rich in minerals and potassium and magnesium. Fruits and vegetables contain ample amounts of these micronutrients and are unlikely to cause cramps. Besides, nuts and dry fruits have sufficient quantities of fat but not too much of it. Besides, the fat is of the healthy variety with no cholesterol.
 |
| Vegan foods for muscle cramps [Source: Kayla Itsines] |
The only issue with purely vegan diets could be a deficiency of proteins and sometimes vitamin B12 and calcium deficiency. But these can be avoided by having good vegetarian sources of them in your daily food.
Vegan foods and prevention of muscle cramps
Vegan foods are good sources of minerals and vitamins. You should know which foods are rich in it. These include Swiss chard, dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek, lettuce, white potato, plantain, durian, pomelo, eggplant, adzuki beans, watermelon and soybeans. It must be remembered that the carbon footprint of consuming soy products and avocado is more and hence those who are very devoted vegans and environment-conscious people should avoid it.
 |
| Muscle-cramp fighting foods [Source: Total Ortho Center] |
Read more on Walking and its benefits for the body!
Rich sources of magnesium are buckwheat, swiss chard, oats, dark green leaves such as spinach, seeds such as sesame, hemp seeds, brazil nuts, pine nuts, cashew nuts, and rye grain. Calcium can be obtained from seeded vegetables, green leaves, beans, legumes, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, swiss chard, and collards. Cereals and pulses are great sources of proteins.
Comments
Post a Comment