
7 Foods to Deal with Arthritis Pain
Arthritis can cause severe inflammation and pain in the joints, and medical treatments may not be effective if not accompanied by healthy lifestyle and dietary choices. Several foods can help ease pain and inflammation due to this joint condition naturally. Read on for a list of the top foods to manage arthritis pain effectively:
- Green tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and nutrients and can effectively reduce inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. Two cups of green tea every day can benefit people with arthritis a lot. Some studies on animals have shown that green tea can improve rheumatoid arthritis.
- Fruits: Fruits can also help you with the pain, and berries are especially effective in reducing the discomfort as they are high in antioxidants. Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, boysenberries, and raspberries are known for reducing pain due to arthritis pain. Apples are also beneficial as they provide antioxidants as well as fiber, which is great for overall health. Pomegranate is another fruit that should be a part of your diet to manage the symptoms of arthritis. It has tannins that are known for fighting arthritis-related inflammation.
- Vegetables: Certain vegetables have anti-inflammatory qualities and can help manage the pain associated with arthritis. Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and broccoli are among the top foods to manage arthritis pain, so add these to your salad or simply enjoy them as side dishes to deal with the condition.
- Turmeric and ginger: Turmeric and ginger can be very helpful in managing pain as certain compounds present in them have anti-inflammatory qualities. You can sprinkle these spices on your food for flavor, and they will also help reduce arthritis pain.
- Nuts: Nuts can be the best source of protein and healthy fats as they do not contain any cholesterol, and the saturated fats content is also low. You can sprinkle nuts and seeds over cereal or much on these during snack time. Nuts are fiber-rich too, so they help reduce inflammation.
- Whole grains: The list of the top foods to manage arthritis pain is incomplete without whole grains. Whole grains are natural sources of fiber and nutrients, and 3 to 6 ounces of grains every day should be enough to help you reduce arthritis pain. There are many great whole-grain choices that you can consider, like quinoa, farro, bulgur, freekeh, and teff.
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content has several health benefits, and it also helps manage the pain caused by arthritis. Ensure that you keep the portion small to avoid too many calories and the consumption of saturated fat.
When adding these top foods to manage arthritis pain to your diet, also ensure that you avoid unhealthy food items as they do more harm than good.