Did you know that the foods you eat can affect your arthritis pain and symptoms? Inflammation, a major cause of arthritis, is often made worse (or better) because of a person’s diet. Joint pain causes great discomfort, aches, and inflammation, and might vary from mild to severe, acute or chronic.
The main causes of joint pain are injuries, gout, lupus, broken or dislocated bones, and fibromyalgia. Joint pain might be aggravated or relieved by certain foods.
You can influence inflammation by eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy greens and colorful vegetables. The following 8 foods should be avoided, in order to soothe the joint pain and its accompanying symptoms:
Sugar
If you suffer from joint pain, you should avoid processed sugars, as they stimulate the release of inflammatory messengers, called cytokines. Therefore, do not consume cereals, donuts, chocolate bars, and sodas, as excessive sugar levels also apply pressure to bones and cause weight gain.
Refined Carbohydrates
White flour products like breads and crackers, white potatoes, white rice, and cereals are refined carbohydrates, which are the leading causes of obesity and chronic issues. They have a high glycemic index and trigger the production of AGE, which stimulates inflammation.
Red And Processed Meats
These meats contain chemicals, purine, and nitrate, which worsen pain and support inflammation, as well as cancer growth.
Dairy Products
Cheese, butter, cream cheese, margarine, and mayonnaise are all high in both saturated fats and advanced glycation end products (AGEs)—they’re big inflammation triggers and should be consumed sparingly. However, a recent study found that some dairy products, especially fermented dairy products like Greek yogurt, are anti-inflammatory for people who are not sensitive to cow’s milk.
Corn Oil
Corn oil is added to various snacks and baked goods, just like numerous oils rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Yet, studies confirm that these oils cause inflammation. Therefore, you should stop consuming salad dressings, soy, and grape seed oil, and replace them with anti-inflammatory omega-3 alternatives, such as nuts, olive oil, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Alcohol
Joint pain is significantly aggravated by the excessive alcohol consumption. Beer is rich in gluten, and purines, which are converted into uric acid in the body, and thus have a negative effect on joint pain.
Salt
Numerous packaged and pre-made foods are high in salt and other preservatives, as ways to extend their shelf life. Refined salt is abundant in chemicals and additives, which disrupt the fluid balance in the body.
Hence, make sure you avoid junk food and microwaveable meals and use pink Himalayan sea salt instead of regular table salt.
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate or MSG is an additive used to improve the taste of foods and is often added to salad dressings, deli meats, prepared soups and soup mixes. This additive seriously aggravates joint pain and inflammation, so make sure you stay away from foods that contain it.
Initially, it may seem like many tasty foods are off-limits. Keep in mind that a few simple swaps can often make the difference between healthy and unhealthy food choices. For example, cook with olive oil instead of corn oil, or swap out white bread for whole-grain bread.
Avoiding foods and drinks that trigger inflammation is not just good for your arthritis. An anti-inflammatory diet can also help prevent other chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
