Your body contains several tendons -- strong, protein-rich tissues that connect your muscles to your bones. Healthy and strong tendons prove essential to maintaining proper posture, as well as supporting muscle contraction. Nutrients from the foods you eat can help nourish and support your tendons, and some foods provide rich sources of tendon-healthy vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin C-Rich Foods
One type of food that can help nourish your tendons is food containing vitamin C. Healthy tendons contain organized fibers of protein, like collagen, that provide strength and resilience. Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, so consuming vitamin C can help your body generate the collagen needed to keep your tendons healthy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Green peppers, watermelon, citrus fruits, papaya and leafy green vegetables all provide vitamin C for healthy tendons.
Calcium-Rich Foods
Foods rich in calcium also contribute to the health of your tendons. In addition to their protein content, your tendons contain small amounts of the mineral calcium, so calcium from your diet contributes to healthy tendons. Foods such as tofu, rhubarb, red, white and pinto beans provide plant sources of calcium, while milk and cheese provide animal sources of the mineral, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Vitamin E-Rich Foods
Foods rich in vitamin E may also contribute to healthy tendons. Vitamin E reduces inflammation in your body, and vitamin E supplements may help treat tendinitis, an inflammatory disorder affecting the tendons. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends consuming wheat germ as an extremely rich source of vitamin E, and notes that nuts, olive oil, liver and eggs also provide a source of the tendon-healthy vitamin.
Vitamin B-12-Rich Foods
Another type of food that can help you achieve and maintain healthy tendons is food rich in vitamin B-12. Deficiencies in vitamin B-12 can lead to a number of negative health effects, including a loss of tendon reflexes, according to Vanderbilt University. Consume eggs, beef, chicken, fish and shellfish to help prevent this deficiency and keep your tendons healthy.
