Crusty Bread and Joint Pain: Is There a Connection?

Do you suffer from joint pain? Do you love crusty, crispy breads, toasted breads, and chips? These could be linked!

In Turkey, bread is a staple at every meal. To be considered a good homemaker, you’d better get fresh, crispy-crusted bread from the bakery every single day. Inside this golden loaf? Pretty much air—you can break it in half with your hands and stuff it with tomato slices, feta cheese, and olives for a quick teenage meal.

When I was a kid, I loved nibbling on the crust on my way home from the bakery. By the time I got home, my mom would yell, “What the hell happened to this bread?!” 😂

Joint Pain in Turkey

According to this article, 15% of adults in Turkey experience knee pain (26,4% in women and 6,2% in men). Many seek medical treatments, from stem cell injections into joints to alternative remedies like:

• Chiropractic adjustments

• Acupuncture

• Cupping therapy

• Leech treatments (Yes, really!)

  
  

But what if this aging-related joint pain isn’t just about wear and tear? What if it’s related to diet, specifically to AGEs in crispy, crusted breads?

What Are AGEs? And Why Should You Care?

AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products) are compounds formed when sugars react with proteins at high temperatures.

Think: 🔥 Honey roasted Peanuts 🔥Crusty bread 🔥 Toasted foods 🔥 Chips and croutons.

Scientists have been feeding experimental models bread crust to test its effects on bone and joint health. The results? Not great.

📉 Bread crust reduced bone stiffness by 50%.

📉 Collagen fibers in joints were damaged.

📉 The tail (a flexible structure in experimental models) became stiff.

Here are some direct research findings:

📌 “Food-derived AGEs may alter tendon properties and lead to tendon injuries.” (PubMed)

📌 “Dietary AGEs can cause cross-links in tendons, affecting tissue compliance and tendon health.” (PubMed)

📌 “Consumption of Maillard Reaction Products (MRPs) leads to lower bone size and changes in mechanical behavior.” (PubMed)

How This Changed My Thinking

My husband recently started seeing a chiropractor for neck pain that causes uncomfortable popping sounds in his ears. I suggested he see an internist, but he opted for massages first. The chiropractor told him his body and head are slightly tilted to one side.

This made me reevaluate my own posture. I always carry my computer tote on my right shoulder—is it tilting my body too? 🤔

And then, after reading the bread crust studies, I looked at our high-capacity toaster with suspicion. I even asked my husband to reconsider his chip addiction. Croutons? Maybe not the best addition to my salad after all.

What I’m Doing Now

I can’t stop aging or aging-related discomfort, but here’s what I’m taking every day to support my body: (Does not constitute medical advice)

✅ Halal multivitamin

✅ Halal vitamin D (could be once a week)

✅ Creatine gummies (could be once a week)

✅ Probiotic gummies

✅ Garlique (garlic extract)

✅ Omega 3 (could be once week)

✅ Fiber pills

I’ve also started opting for soft, no-crust breads whenever possible.

What About You?

Do you have memories with crispy bread? Do you or someone you know suffer from joint pain? Have they tried specific remedies—like boiling cherry stems or other traditional treatments?

Drop a comment! Let’s discuss. 👇😊