Managing Arthritis Pain with Nutrition: Best and Worst Foods

While the cure for arthritis eludes medical science, there are many potent treatments for the condition. Chief among these are avoiding foods that worsen joint pain and eating foods that reduce it.

Here are the five worst and best foods for arthritis and joint pain.

While the cure for arthritis eludes medical science, there are many potent treatments for the condition. Chief among these are avoiding foods that worsen joint pain and eating foods that reduce it.

Here are the five worst and best foods for arthritis and joint pain.

Foods You Must Avoid

Trans Fats: Trans fats can trigger and worsen inflammation and are bad for your cardiovascular health. Trans fats come in most processed foods such as cookies, crackers, doughnuts, and fast food. Note: Transfats on food packages and labels are often referred to as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.”

Gluten: More than just a health trend, there are good reasons to avoid gluten. Chief among them is the connection between celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis. A recent study published in the Oxford Journal of Rheumatology states that 41 percent of those who have rheumatoid arthritis improve on gluten-free diets.

Refined Carbs & White Sugar: Simple carbs and refined sugar have earned themselves a bad name over the last few years and for a good reason. These are nutrient-free toxins that the body has very little use for. They worsen inflammation, and the food products tend to come with other enders like trans fats.

Processed & Fried Foods: Fried foods are overcooked and have destroyed all or most nutrients. They also include many known carcinogens. Many foods that come fried also have many heavily processed ingredients. All of these will cause inflammation by triggering the body’s defense mechanisms, setting an arthritic flare-up.

Foods You Should Include in Your Diet:

Nuts: Nuts are a great source of protein for vegetarians. They also have magnesium, zinc, vitamin, and the immune booster alpha-linolenic acid. They are an easy way to get the protein you need to keep your digestive tract healthy, and they are very filling.

Garlic & Onions: Garlic and onions are loaded with immune-boosting properties such as allium family help manage osteoarthritis and joint pain.

Beans: Beans are another great source of protein and fiber; beans are an excellent way to replace many filer foods that worsen joint pain and its conditions. Beans are rich in folic acid, zinc, iron, and potassium— all of which have critical immune-boosting properties.

Citrus Fruits: Sweet, refreshing, and delicious, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are also valuable allies in the fight against joint pain. Not only are they rich in life-saving vitamin C, but they are also an ideal substitute for those who love sweets.

Green Tea: Green tea, loaded with many health-promoting benefits, can help manage/treat arthritic conditions. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants and polyphenols that reduce inflammation and slow the process of cartilage deterioration.