Grains, legumes, nuts and seeds are good for our health, but not necessarily good for our teeth, says Anamaria Pontes, registered nutritionist at Tribeca Center for Integrative Holistic Dentistry. These plant-derived foods contain varying amounts of phytic acid, which fights free radicals and may protect against kidney stones, but also can reduce the effectiveness of certain nutrients in our diet.

“In humans lacking the digestive enzyme phytase, it impairs absorption of important nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron,” Pontes says. “Phytic acid’s snowflake-like molecule easily binds to important minerals, making them unavailable for absorption, thus leading to mineral deficiencies. And these minerals deficiencies can lead to tooth decay.”

She recommends soaking, sprouting or fermenting foods high in phytic acid, or buying sprouted or fermented products. “The process naturally creates organic acids that promote phytic acid breakdown. You can soak grains and legumes overnight or for few hours prior to cooking them. Make sure you discard the water they were soaked in and cook them in fresh water.”

When eating foods with a high phytic acid content, it also helps to eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as vegetables. “Vitamin C can minimize phytic acid’s effects,” Pontes explains.

For more information, call 212-732-2200 or visit Holistic-Dentists.com.

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