Proactive choices in your twenties can be a bone health game-changer.

BY JULIE B.

It’s not surprising that many 20-somethings don’t bother themselves with problems such as bone loss and potential hip fractures. While menopause might be the last thing on your mind, medical experts agree that your decisions TODAY could be vital in preventing loss of bone density later in life. SweetSpot Labs has compiled a list of not so obvious, valuable tips beyond the age-old “get enough calcium” to keep your bones healthy and strong to menopause and beyond!

Exercise for Bone Health

Cardio may be great for staying lean and energized, but weight-bearing exercises are especially recommended for maintaining bone strength throughout your life.Despite a cumbersome reputation, weight training doesn’t have to be a chore. Break up your monotonous treadmill pounding and elliptical sessions with a yoga class or by incorporating high-rep exercises with some free weights!

Snack More

Being underweight can lead to low bone density and puts you at risk of fractures as you age. We won’t name names; but many models and celebs fall below the recommended BMI and should not be used as healthy examples. For most women, underweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5. In extreme cases, being underweight can bring on amenorrhea, tricking your body into early menopause and causing bone loss. We know that your twenties are meant for looking super svelte, but trust us, looking fab in skinny jeans will never be more important than a healthy body weight. Calculate your own BMI with this helpful tool.

Please, Stop Smoking

Okay, you might have seen this one coming but we’re going to tell you again — Do. Not. Smoke. Smoking impedes cellular turnover in your body, which is a vital function for building healthy bone mass. If you already smoke, stopping now will significantly reduce your risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Do your bones a favor and quit while you’re ahead!

Vitamin D is Key

Calcium is often celebrated for its role in keeping bones strong but its cousin vitamin D rarely gets the attention it deserves. Important at every stage of a woman’s life, vitamin D helps the body absorb the calcium that builds our bones. Found in foods such as fatty fish and milk, vitamin D is commonly referred to as the sunshine vitamin. Sun exposure is what facilitates the absorption of this vital nutrient. Unfortunately, today we are getting less vitamin D than previous generations due to spending less time outside. It is recommended that women who live in less sunny climates, like the northeastern US, compensate with a supplement.

 

 

 

Everyone knows that food is sexy, right? Well it is! Here at SweetSpot Labs, we try to eat healthy so we were thrilled to learn that our good choices might pay off in *ah hem* more ways than one.

Avocados

The sexy reputation of the avocado has a long history. Because of its abundant pairs of low hanging fruit, the Aztecs first dubbed the avocado tree the ahuacuatl (“testicle tree”). Spanish missionaries even went so far as banning avocado consumption due to their erotic éclat. . Recent research has given us more insight into what makes these lush, green treats an aphrodisiac. They carry powerful nutrients for sexual health such as beta-carotene, magnesium, and vitamin E. Vitamin E is even referred to as the sex vitamin! So go ahead and make these lush fruits a precursor to your evening tango.

 

Almonds

Almonds are so sexy, it’s actually written in the Bible. Allegedly the biblical warrior, Samson used an almond branch in his attempt to win Delilah. But don’t let his sad fate deter you from indulging in this sweet smelling nut. They are a prime source of essential fatty acids and the scent is purported to raise sexual desire in women. Try snacking on a handful or burning some almond scented candles to get you (and your sweetie) in the mood!

Bananas

Beyond their suggestive phallic shape, these common herbaceous fruits are a powerhouse of potassium and B vitamins, which are known to be beneficial for healthy sex-hormone production. Bananas are also rich in bromelain, which aids in the production aids in the production of testosterone. Believe it or not, ladies, you actually need a certain amount of this essential hormone to get (and keep) you in the mood.

 

Chocolate

Chocoholics rejoice! Chocolate has always been associated with romance but few know that cocoa is rich in andamide — the psychoactive feel-good chemical, and PEA (phenylethylamine), the “love chemical,” which releases dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain and peaks during orgasm. PEA is said to help induce feelings of excitement, attraction and euphoria.

 

Ginger

Ginger is internationally renowned for its ability to increase healthy circulation. Its consumption is reported to wake up the reproductive organs and improve fertility and sexual performance. Early Europeans praised ginger’s ability to specifically increase desire so much that the medieval university of Salerno, Italy recommended eating it frequently to “love and be loved as in your youth.” So next time you and your lover head out for sushi, pile it on! Or enjoy a cup of hot ginger tea to get things flowing.

 

 

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers aren’t just spicy; they’re lauded for their ability to release endorphins in the brain. This creates a floating, energized feeling that some claim is a little addictive. They’re also known to make lips swell when eaten, helping us achieve that supermodel-y, bee-stung pout we (and our lovers) crave. So if you like it hot in the bedroom, then these spicy little guys might be your new best friends.

 

Do you have a favorite food that gets you in the mood? Let us know in the comments below.