“The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” - Ann Wigmore

Wednesday. Joey Chestnut is being celebrated as one of the best athletes of his generation. Yesterday, the man inhaled 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. That is nearly 18,000 calories worth of hot dogs and buns. Needless to say, hot dogs aren’t exactly a staple piece of an optimal diet. We also wouldn’t recommend eating that many calories in one sitting. Moving on to something less obvious that might also negatively impact your health. Could your favorite pair of summer sandals be the reason for back pain and other injuries? Let’s dive in.

Time To Rethink Your Footwear

Low back pain and other related injuries have become another health trend headed in the wrong direction. As many as 540 million people globally are grappling with back pain at any given moment. In the United States alone, back problems affect eight out of every ten people at least once, and a staggering half of all employed Americans report experiencing back pain annually.

A striking note is that even mild symptoms can develop into chronic back pain in 5% of individuals. Lower back pain affects 7.5% of the global population, with overweight individuals and women over 30 being particularly at risk. The financial burden of treating back pain is enormous, with an estimated annual cost to the American economy of $635 billion.

It is projected that almost 80% of U.S. citizens will experience back pain at some stage in their lives. So what is causing so many people to have back pain? Could everyday, seemingly harmless items, such as flip-flops, have anything to do with it?

Open-toed shoes are usually the footwear of choice for many people during the hot summer months. There are all types of sandals, but a staple in almost everyone's closest or beach bag is the infamous pair of flip-flops. Now, I know we all love the convenience and comfort of these thonged sandals, but did you know they could potentially be problematic for your health?

It’s true. As fun and freeing as flip-flops can be, they force us into a somewhat unnatural walking posture. When you slip on a pair of flip-flops, your toes must “clench” or curl downward to keep them in place as you walk. It’s a slight adjustment, but if you take a moment to walk barefoot, then clench your toes and walk again, you’ll notice a significant difference. With clenched toes, your foot becomes stiffer, and your steps lack their usual flow. Imagine doing that for thousands of steps; it’s quite the task for your feet and unnatural at the same time.

This is not just a simple observation. Researchers at Auburn University conducted a study with 56 participants to compare their walking patterns in flip-flops versus sneakers. Their findings showed that wearing flip-flops resulted in a shorter stride, a larger ankle angle at the beginning of double support and during the swing phase, a smaller braking impulse, and a shorter stance time compared to sneakers.

Even if you don’t quite understand the feet jargon, that’s a lot of change to something we do thousands of times per day.

The constant tension in your foot and this altered walking pattern can lead to muscular issues in your feet and calves. This can even cause a painful condition known as plantar fasciitis, also called “jogger’s heel,” when you run, walk, or just stand. It’s a condition characterized by a sharp, shooting pain in the bottom of your heels with each step. In severe cases, flip-flops might even cause lower-body issues like knee pain, and yes, it can even lead to chronic low back pain as our lower bodies are all interconnected, and issues in our feet tend to work their way upstream if they are not taken care of early on.

This is not to say that you should immediately toss out all your flip-flops. After all, they are a quintessential part of summer. Instead, the key is to wear them wisely. If you know you’ll be walking long distances, opt for a pair of regular shoes. If you’re just hanging out at a barbecue or strolling down to the beach, your flip-flops are fine.

The key takeaway? Remember, everyone’s different. Some people can wear flip-flops their entire lives without experiencing any issues. But for the rest of us — particularly those who are active and engage in activities like running, rucking, and lifting — wearing them too often can lead to lower body problems that can stem into something as chronic as low back pain. As with many things in life, the dose makes the poison.

So enjoy your flip-flops, but also be aware of their potential impact on your health as you go out and enjoy the rest of summer.

Tonic Shots

1. Getting Back On Track Doesn’t Have To Be Boring

Ready for some vegetables after all the hot dogs and burgers from this past weekend? Give this salad a try and get back on track to feeling your best.

2. Just The Right Amount Of Sweet

Who knew chicken could taste this good? High in protein, full of flavor — give this recipe a try!

3. Mediterranean Flavors Are Always The Best

This turkey salad will not disappoint. A great way to get some protein in for lunch. Give it a try!

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