Each person's height is formed by the combination of several factors. Generally, men grow to age 25, while women reach their maximum height between 18 and 19 years.

Although height is most strongly determined by genetics, certain external factors, such as nutrition, may influence, and this condition is so relevant that short stature is also associated with a poor diet.

Given this, following a balanced diet is absolutely necessary to improve growth prospects, especially in childhood and adolescence. Therefore, we will discuss here which foods help in growth.

GROWTH FACTS

Height is influenced by some variables. For example, genetic factors determine between 60% and 80% of the height and other factors such as nutrition and exercise account for the remaining percentage.

Growth happens from birth. During the process, the pituitary gland secretes a hormone called human growth hormone (HGH) and it, in turn, stimulates the liver to activate another hormone called growth factor, which triggers cartilage production at both ends of long bones, that is, the bones of the leg and some bones of the hand.

This cartilage then turns into bone and makes them longer, which increases their height. Usually, between the first year of life and puberty, most people grow approximately 2 inches tall annually, while in adolescence this number jumps to 10 inches per year.

Girls experience a sudden increase in early puberty, while boys grow up to the end of puberty, but we must consider that, although this is the pattern, each may have a different rhythm.

Usually, men grow up to 25, while women stop a little earlier, in their 19’s at the most. This means that an adult is unlikely to be able to change the height that has already been set.

However, there are “investments” that can be made throughout adolescence to maximize growth potential, and maintenance into adulthood to maintain height. For example, physical activity, quality of life, sleep, and low-stress levels are just a few, but they all need to be combined with a growth-focused diet with food that helps them.

Food is essential and is associated with growth because it can help the full function of the human growth hormone.

ROLE OF SOME NUTRIENTS IN GROWTH

To support good growth, especially during adolescence, one must ensure that the body receives different types of nutrients to be able to build strong muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Then the feed base should be composed of:

- Proteins

Our muscles, skin, bones and other parts of the human body depend on proteins to function properly. They help increase height by building various fabrics. Proteins contain amino acids that aid growth hormones and also act as enzymes that stimulate the body's biochemical reactions such as digestion, breathing, and excretion.

Lack of protein can cause a variety of health problems, such as muscle wasting, poor growth, weakened immune systems and interfering with mental development. Therefore, there are many advantages to including high protein foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, and vegetables in the diet. Keep in mind that protein is required for growth.

- Minerals

Minerals such as iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, fluorine, and iodine play an important role in growth. We should also consider calcium, which is vital for the formation, growth, and maintenance of strong bones.

To preserve proper calcium absorption it is important to avoid excess caffeine, carbonated beverages, salt, sugar, and fats as they all act as calcium inhibitors, negatively affecting their growth. It is noteworthy that illegal and legal drugs, such as cigarettes, can also harm and cause other harmful effects on health.

- Vitamins

Vitamin D directly impacts the development of strong and healthy bones and its deficiency can result in poor growth and weak bones. Another function of vitamin D is to help the body absorb calcium, which is also essential for growth. However, other vitamins such as A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 or riboflavin, vitamin C or ascorbic acid and vitamin F are also valuable in the diet and necessary to support the normal and healthy growth process.

- Carbohydrates

Many people find carbohydrates harmful to their diet, but in fact, they are essential, especially in childhood and adolescence, to support the growth process. They are sources of energy for the body that prevent the body from using protein to maintain bodily functions. To make them healthier, you can switch from simple ones to more complex ones like wheat and cereals and avoid refined flour foods like pizza, hamburgers and white bread.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids should also be part of the diet to ensure optimal growth and maintain health.

Foods That Support Growth

To help ensure nutrients are on the menu, here are some growth-enhancing foods that can't be missed in the diet.

1. Milk

Milk is one of the best-known sources of calcium and a great option for receiving the mineral. Calcium plays a key role in the growth and maintenance of strong bones and acts as a height booster.

Milk also contains vitamin A, which helps preserve body calcium and proteins that help build our cells, and is easily digested facilitates maximum protein assimilation. The less fat versions, such as skim, contain 100% protein and the recommendation is to eat between 2 and 3 glasses of milk per day.

2. Dairy Products

Dairy products should also be considered growth-enhancing foods as they have an impact on height. For example, cheese and yogurt are rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E, as well as protein and calcium. Like calcium, particularly vitamin D deficiency is associated with inadequate growth.

3. Vegetables, fruits and vegetables

A diet full of vegetables and fruits can boost health in many ways, as they are sources of vitamins, minerals such as potassium and folate, and fiber, essential components for maintaining proper body function and stimulating growth.

Fruits such as cantaloupe, grapes, papaya, mango, passion fruit, watermelon, and apricots are abundant in vitamin A, which aids in bone and tissue development and contributes to calcium absorption. It is also found in peas, which are also known as growth-assisting foods because they contain some process-stimulating hormones, as well as other vegetables such as carrots, squash, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and sweet potatoes.

Another vitamin that helps in healthy bone growth and contributes to a person's height is vitamin C, and it is present in many fruits, potatoes, and tomatoes.

Like fruits and vegetables, vegetables are also valuable additions to the diet, especially since they are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals and also help stimulate the body's growth hormones, which increases height.

4. Meat

Animal meat is one of the main sources of protein. Of all of them, chicken carries the most protein to support the body in building tissues and muscles. As for fish, it contains, in addition to protein, vitamin D, which is necessary for bone and muscle development, and some varieties such as salmon are known to contain essential fatty acids, such as omega-3.

Beef and pork are also good sources of protein, but some cuts contain a lot of fat, and their excessive consumption can increase cholesterol levels and leave the body vulnerable to some diseases. So, it is important to invest in those with less fat.

5. Eggs

Eggs are known as one of the best sources of protein and are therefore considered foods that aid in growth. High protein concentration boosts health and bone growth.

The egg composition is rich in vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, and also contains vitamin D and calcium, all-important for stimulating healthy growth. When it comes to eating, prefer the egg whites, as this is where these nutrients are most present.

6. Whole Grains

Starches and grains are foods that generate the calories necessary for the body to have energy and willingness to perform activities. Its composition also provides vitamin B, fiber, iron, magnesium and selenium, and some grains are a rich source of calcium.

Good starch and grain choices are brown rice, whole grain, and wheat prepared foods, whole grain pasta, and sweet potatoes, and at some stages of growth, their intake should be increased, for example during puberty, during which young people go through by a fast-growing “outbreak”.

7. Soy

Soy is the richest source of plant protein, but it also contains folate, vitamins, carbohydrates and fiber, so many vegetarians and vegans consume it. Pure soy protein contributes significantly to bone and tissue density, both very important for growth. Eating 50 grams a day helps support health and also maximize bone growth.

8. Oats

Like soybeans, oats are also an excellent source of vegetable protein, so much so that it is considered one of the healthiest choices for breakfast and one of the best foods that help with growth, as well as helping to reduce body fat.

Just 50 grams of oats consumed in your morning meal will already contribute significantly to growth.

9. Nuts

Nuts and seeds are tasty and rich in healthy fats and amino acids, as well as essential minerals and vitamins, vital for growth. This is because of the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are part of its composition help repair body tissues, promoting the growth of new bones and muscles.

 

10.Seeds

Black sesame seeds are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin B and iron, not counting their calcium content. Almonds are rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium, essential minerals for bone growth. Another highlight is the pumpkin seed, which contains an excellent amount of magnesium, which contributes to the proper formation of bones and teeth, and amino acids, which are considered good for growth.

 

TIPS FOR BOOSTING GROWTH

As we have mentioned, the growth process is a combination of factors. Thus, in addition to including these growth-enhancing foods in the diet, other measures can and should be taken to achieve more effective results.

1. Regular physical activity

Exercising regularly is a great way to boost growth, and can even help people who have gone through puberty. Activities that involve jumping, running or other aerobic practices promote longer stronger bones, and those that stretch and stretch can also contribute.

In addition, exercise is able to stimulate nerve endings that are directly linked to the pituitary gland, and in the face of it the secretive gland plus growth hormone, resulting in an increase in height even after typical growing ages.

2. Quantity and quality of sleep

Sleep is critical to maintaining various body processes. Their occasional deprivation does not affect growth, but when it is constant it can have significant impacts, especially in adolescence.

This is because your body releases growth hormone during sleep, so if you are getting a little sleep, your body is fatally reduced.

The recommendation usually varies with age. See below the list of daily hours of sleep, according to age:

• Babies up to 3 months old: 14 to 17 hours of sleep;

• Babies aged 3 to 11 months: 12 to 17 hours of sleep;

• Children up to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours of sleep;

• Children aged 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours of sleep;

• Children between 6 and 13 years old: 9 to 11 hours of sleep;

• 14 and 17-year-olds: 8 hours of sleep;

• Adults between 18 and 64 years old: 7 to 9 hours of sleep;

• Elderly 65 and older: 7 or 8 hours of sleep.

Another factor that can drive growth is the position you sleep. For best results, lie on your back without a pillow, raise your knees slightly and place a small pillow below them. This is the most natural posture of your spine and this position helps to stretch the discs, which increases height and reduces the chances of back injury and pain.

3. Supplements

There are supplements that can help growth. In some cases, they are recommended to increase height in children and also to combat the shrinkage of older adults.

For example, in the face of a condition that affects human growth hormone production, the healthcare professional may recommend a supplement containing a synthetic version of the hormone. For older adults, the most common supplements are those containing vitamin D or calcium, as both will help reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.

However, it is noteworthy that supplements should be ingested upon medical recommendation and that you should avoid supplements that promise an increase in height.

4. Proper Posture

Our posture plays a big role in helping to increase your height because poor posture can make you look shorter than you really are.

The ideal posture is an upright position with the shoulders back and a slight bend at the bottom of the spine. If you sink or relax regularly, these curves may change to accommodate your new posture and this may make you look shorter and cause neck and back pain.

Being mindful of how you get up, sit, and sleep is the key to correcting this, and you can also practice exercises designed to improve your posture over time. 

If you are unsure about how to get started, talk to your doctor. It can help you develop a proper exercise routine for you.

5. Avoid harmful habits

Smoking and drinking are often harmful to overall health and also have a direct impact on growth. Regular alcohol consumption inhibits growth due to its adverse effects on the liver. Smoking is also harmful because it increases the presence of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream, and this limits the flow of blood and nutrients to the growing areas, thereby slowing growth.

Smoking also results in lower production of testosterone, an anabolic hormone related to muscle and bone growth. If you want to ensure and maximize growth, it is important to avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

When it comes to growth, you can give it an extra boost, especially if you are at puberty, by including in the diet foods that help you grow with the proper nutrients that can stimulate the hormonal system. You can reconcile this with other healthy habits for even more favorable results.