Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency

·         Muscle cramps

·         Dry skin

·         Brittle nails

·         Tooth decay

·         Late puberty

·         PMS symptoms

·         Tooth decay

·         Insomnia

What Happens When You are Calcium Deficient?

It is not only calcium deficiency that can affect your health but also vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium deficiency, all of which helps to absorb calcium. Below are some reasons why you may become calcium deficient.

·         Old age

·         Menopause

·         Poor absorption of calcium in the body

·         Medications

·         Inadequate consumption of calcium-rich foods

Food High in Calcium

Sources of calcium include:

Ø  Milk, cheese and other dairy foods

Ø  Green leafy vegetables – like broccoli, cabbage and okra, but not spinach

Ø  Soya beans

Ø  Tofu

Ø  Soya drinks with added calcium

Ø  Nuts

Ø  Bread and anything made with fortified flour

Ø  Fish where you eat the bones – like sardines and pilchards

Calcium-Rich Vegetables & Fruits

1. Pineapple

Pineapple are fantastic fruits, but diabetics cannot be recommended. These juicy fruits along with other vitamins and minerals are said to be loaded with calcium.

2. Litchi

Litchi may have the least amount of calcium, but it will only help add up to the mineral content when tossed with a fruit-bowl.

3. Orange

We often consume them without knowing how beneficial they are. Oranges are also among the best calcium sources following vitamin C.

Read Also: Are Tangerines Good For You?

4. Papaya

Papaya contains a generous amount of calcium; it is said to have about 20 milligrams per 100 grams of servings. It does make for super healthy fruit, whether you eat it raw or cooked.

5. Kiwi

Kiwi are not only high in vitamin C, but they also have a calcium content that is beneficial to the body. It's said the tropical fruit has about 60 milligrams of calcium. Make sure that you eat the fruit or gulp a glass of kiwi juice.

Best Source of Calcium-Rich Foods

1. Soy milk

The Soyfoods Association of North America claims that soy milk gives cow's milk a run for its money on the nutrition front. One cup of fortified soy milk contains approximately the same amount of calcium as cow's milk equivalent. The choice of a product that is fortified with calcium carbonate is essential. Also, soy milk is high in vitamin D and contains less saturated fat than whole lactose milk.

Read Also: 5 Impressive Benefits Of Soy Milk

2.  Figs

Also, they have more calcium than any other dried fruit. Dried figs include 5 per cent of calcium Recommended Dietary Intake RDI in one ounce (28 grams). Also, figs provide decent potassium and vitamin K amount. Dried figs are one of the best plant-based sources of calcium.

Read Also: 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Eat Too Many Dried Fruit

3. Broccoli Rabe

Broccoli rabe is a cool season crop. Well-drained, fertile, moisture soil is essential for good yeilds. Fresh broccoli rabe greens are an excellent source of several essential B-complex groups of vitamins such as pyridoxine, thiamin, riboflavin, and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and manganese. It provides more than half your daily value of immune-boosting vitamin C and about 3 grams of belly-filling protein. It’s also a great source of vitamin A.

4. Edamame and Tofu

Edamame is a young soybean, that is often sold while still encased in the pod. One cup of edamame (155 grams) packs 10 per cent of the calcium RDI. It's also a decent protein source and provides all of your daily folate in one single serving. Tofu made with calcium also has exceptionally high levels — you can get 86 per cent of the calcium RDI in just half a cup (126 grams).

Read Also: 9 Health Benefits Of Tofu

5. Okra

A single cup of raw okra has a calcium content of 82 mg. Okra is also a big source of protein, fibre, iron, and zinc. Most people love boiled baked, pickled, or roasted vegetables. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce a person’s chances of developing a range of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

6. Orange & Orange Juice

One big orange contains 74 mg of calcium while one single glass of calcium-fortified orange juice contains 300 mg. Blood tests showed that the study participants absorbed as much calcium from fortified orange juice as they did from calcium supplements or milk.

7. Sunflower Seeds

A single cup of sunflower seed kernels has a calcium content of 109 mg. These seeds are also rich in magnesium, that balancing the effects of calcium in the body and regulating the health of nerves and muscles. Additionally, the kernels of sunflower seeds contain vitamin E and copper. Such nutrients combined can promote bone strength and resilience, and prevent bone loss. Sunflower seeds, however, may contain large concentrations of added salt, which is depleting calcium levels in the body. Pick raw, unsalted seeds to offer optimum health benefits. 

Often, to prevent unnecessary calorie consumption, find a single serving one handful of kernels.

Read Also: 10 Amazing Benefits Of Sunflower Seeds

8. White Beans

One cup of white beans has a calcium yield of 161 mg. 

White beans are a food which is low in fat and also rich in iron. Add it to a favourite soup or salad, eat it in a side dish or use it in hummus.