Did you know that changing the foods you eat could help your joint pain? By adding specific foods to your diet and limiting or eliminating others, can decrease joint pain brought on by a number of reasons. Doing this has shown to be effective in limiting and improving joint pain. Want to learn what foods are good and which ones you should avoid? Keep reading!
Limit These Foods For Joint Pain Relief
Below you will find a list of foods to avoid for joint pain relief. These foods cause inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate symptoms of arthritis and other conditions associated with joint pain.
- Processed sugar – food such as baked goods and other foods that contain processed sugar should be avoided if you suffer from joint pain. These foods can cause your blood sugar to rise, which in turn causes your body to produce chemicals that cause inflammation called cytokines.
- Foods containing saturated fat – foods such as red meat and full-fat dairy products contain saturated fat and should be limited. Inflammation can be worsened by saturated fat.
- Fried foods – fried foods contain toxins that increase oxidation of your body’s cells and can also cause inflammation.
- Foods containing gluten – foods that contain gluten can cause inflammation for people who suffer from celiac disease, joint pain, and some autoimmune disorders. Grains such as rye, wheat, and barley contain gluten and should be avoided if you have any of these ailments.
- Alcoholic beverages – drinking more than a moderate amount of alcohol can cause CRP (a rise in C-reactive protein levels), which is a signal of inflammation in the body.
Eat More of These Foods
The good news is that eating more of the right foods can actually help reduce your joint pain. The foods you should eat more of are:
- Fatty fish – fish that contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids such as tuna and salmon help to reduce stiffness and pain in the joints. Three to four ounces of fish two to three times a week is recommended to benefit.
- Berries – Berries contain antioxidants, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins, which help reduce inflammation. They can also help relieve joint pain.
- Olive oil – The polyphenols contained in extra-virgin olive oil helps to relieve joint pain by protecting the body from inflammation and have similar effects found in anti-inflammatory medicines.
- Green tea – green tea also contains the inflammation-fighting polyphenol as well as an antioxidant found to help people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis by reducing joint pain.
- Turmeric and ginger – frequently used in Asian medicine, turmeric contains anti-inflammatory properties and ginger not only helps relieve nausea, but it also blocks enzymes and genes that cause inflammation.
- Cruciferous vegetables – Vegetables such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower contain fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial nutrients. The antioxidant, sulforaphane, contained in cruciferous vegetables blocks an inflammation-causing enzyme to help prevent joint pain.
Manage your joint pain by limiting or eliminating the food that can cause more inflammation and enjoy the benefits of less inflammation by adding more of the right foods into your diet! Contact our office for more tips on how to reduce joint pain.