But here’s the thing—certain nutrient combinations from whole foods may work better together than isolated pills. And one low-cost pantry item delivers them all naturally. Curious yet?
Why This Hidden Gem Often Gets Overlooked
Many seniors focus on dairy or calcium pills for bone health, yet skip over canned sardines. Cost plays a big role—they’re usually under $2 a can. Convenience matters too; they’re ready to eat straight from the tin.
Take Sarah, a 68-year-old retiree who loved gardening and walks with her grandkids. A small fall left her with a fracture and months of limited mobility. She tried calcium supplements, but progress felt slow. Then a friend suggested something unexpected.
Before we reveal what helped Sarah feel steadier, consider this: studies suggest the natural mix of nutrients in certain foods may support bone density more effectively than single-nutrient supplements. Ready to discover what that food is?
The Affordable Powerhouse: Canned Sardines with Bones
That overlooked pantry staple is canned sardines—with the bones. A typical 3.75-ounce can provides around 325–350 mg of highly absorbable calcium from those soft, edible bones. That’s about one-third of the daily recommendation for adults over 50.
They also deliver natural vitamin D (around 170 IU per serving) to help your body use calcium better. Research on fatty fish like sardines points to promising links with bone health. But the benefits go far beyond just two nutrients.
Here are nine surprising ways sardines may support stronger bones after 60:
9. Phosphorus for Bone Structure
Phosphorus teams up with calcium to form the mineral matrix of bones. One serving of sardines supplies a generous amount, potentially aiding mineralization.
