Calcium is one of the nutrients that is essential for good health. Calcium makes up much of the bones and teeth and plays a role in heart health, muscle function and nerve signalling. Calcium is responsible for making the bones and teeth strong and healthy. Calcium is essential for everybody no matter their age.
However, I specifically mentioned children and older people because, the bones and teeth of children are not fully developed so, they need a lot of calcium.
Older people need alot of calcium because, as people age their body metabolism declines and their bones density reduces. So, old people need a lot of calcium to keep their bones and teeth strong and to improve their bone and teeth health.
Here are six benefits of Calcium Rich Foods that Children And Old People Should Eat Every day to strengthen their bones and teeth .
- Beans: Beans are rich in nutrients like iron, fibre, and protein but, what many people do not know is that beans are also rich in calcium. There are many species of beans in the market but, white beans have the highest calcium concentrate which makes them the best beans for children and older people.
Many people hate eating beans, so, you can use white beans to make beans products like Akara and moi moi but cooking it the way it is the best. - Soya Milk: soya milk is made from soya beans a very nutritious legume that is packed with nutrients like, vitamins and protein. Soya milk is also rich in calcium.
The calcium in soya milk almost equals the calcium in dairy products. Soya milk is suitable for children and old people and they should try to drink it regularly. - Sweet Potato: sweet potatoes are one of the most underrated and misjudged foods I have ever seen. People misjudge sweet potatoes because of their sweet taste not knowing that their sweet taste is unharmful even to, diabetic people.
Sweet potatoes are a rich source of calcium and one of the best foods for children and older people. Toddlers who have started eating solid food can be fed with mashed sweet potatoes and older people can cook their sweet potatoes using different methods.
- Milk: milk is of the most common dairy product. Milk is consumed by many. It is important to give children milk regularly because it does not just strengthen their teeth and bones it also improves their brain capacity and aid their growth.
Milk is also good for older people however, it is advisable to consume low-fat milk or, skimmed milk if you are old. Children and adults should drink milk, milk products or, foods containing milk at least once a day.
- Sardines: sardines are one of the most popular canned food in Nigeria. The bones of canned sardines are intact and their bones are a rich source of calcium. Sardines can be used to eat bread or, cook foods.
Older people and children should eat sardines regularly to strengthen their bones and teeth. Sardines are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which makes them good for the skin, heart and brain. - Yoghurts: yoghurt is a dairy product which means it contains high levels of calcium. Yoghurt is suitable for both the old and young. Older people are advised to consume only low fat yoghurt or, plain yoghurt.
Children, on the other hand, can consume normal yoghurts but it is better to feed children with low-fat yoghurts. There are many yoghurts in the market most of which are filled with unhealthy additives. So, it is advisable to avoid such yoghurts. Yoghurts also contain probiotics and a lot of health benefits that make it particularly good for older people.
Nwachineke Onyeke Chekwube reporting, Obinwannem news writer/ November 7, 2021
