Chinese New Year may be over, but many of us are still feeling the effects of the festive feasting. From pineapple tarts and bak kwa to reunion steamboats and celebratory drinks, the season is filled with indulgence. But have you ever wondered if all those CNY goodies could have an impact on your bone and joint health?
While it’s fine to enjoy the festivities, certain foods -especially those high in sugar, alcohol, and purines- may contribute to inflammation and joint discomfort. If you’ve been feeling more aches and stiffness than usual, it could be worth taking a closer look at your diet.
Let’s break down how post-CNY eating habits can affect your joints and what you can do to ease any discomfort.
Too Much Sugar? Here’s How It Affects Your Joints
Pineapple tarts, love letters, and nian gao are CNY staples, but they’re also packed with sugar. While the occasional treat is fine, too much sugar can trigger inflammation in the body.
Excess sugar increases the production of cytokines—substances that promote inflammation. If you have a condition like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you may notice that joint pain feels worse after a period of eating sugary foods.
What you can do:
- Cut back on sugary snacks post-CNY to allow your body to recover.
- Replace processed sweets with natural alternatives like fruits, which provide fibre and nutrients without causing excessive sugar spikes.
- Stay hydrated to help flush out excess sugar and reduce inflammation.
Alcohol and Bone Health—What You Need to Know
A few rounds of toasts during reunion dinners may seem harmless, but alcohol can impact bone strength. Regular alcohol consumption can interfere with calcium absorption, which is essential for maintaining strong bones.
Alcohol also contributes to dehydration, which can lead to joint stiffness. If you’ve been waking up with more aches and tightness, it could be a sign that your body needs a break from alcohol.
What you can do:
- Reduce alcohol intake in the weeks following CNY to support bone recovery.
- Drink plenty of water to rehydrate and keep joints lubricated.
- Make sure your diet includes enough calcium and vitamin D to support bone health.
High-Purine Foods and Gout Flares
For those prone to gout, CNY feasts can be a minefield. Steamboat favourites like seafood, organ meats, and some types of mushrooms are high in purines. When purines break down, they produce uric acid, which can build up and trigger painful gout attacks.
If you’ve experienced sudden joint pain, especially in the big toe, ankles, or knees after the festive season, high-purine foods might be the culprit.
What you can do:
- Cut down on high-purine foods for a while to allow uric acid levels to stabilise.
- Drink more water to help flush out excess uric acid.
- Consider including more anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, cherries, and whole grains in your diet.
Listen to Your Joints—When to Seek Help
If you’re still feeling stiff, swollen, or in pain after CNY, it’s worth paying attention to what your body is telling you. Occasional discomfort is normal, but persistent joint pain shouldn’t be ignored.
Pain that worsens with movement, swelling that doesn’t go down, or recurring gout attacks could be signs that your joints need more support.
Time to Prioritise Joint Health? Contact The Orthopaedic Practice & Surgery Clinic
If your joints are feeling the effects of the festive season, it may be time to take action. Whether you need advice on managing inflammation, gout, or long-term bone health, The Orthopaedic Practice & Surgery Clinic is here to help.
Getting the right care early can prevent further discomfort and keep you moving well throughout the year.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get your joints back on track.
