Foods to Help Fight Arthritis Pain

Foods to Help Fight Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is an autoimmune disease which affects people of all ages. The main symptom of this disease is the swelling, redness and pain in the various joints in the body. The intensity of arthritis pain may vary according to the climate, the activity level of the person and according to the food they consume. There are certain food items which help to reduce the swelling and pain associated with arthritis and there are certain foods that will aggravate the arthritis pain. Reducing the arthritis pain will help to improve the mobility of the patient.  Here is the list of some foods that are helpful in reducing arthritis pain. If you are an arthritis patient, you can include many of these foods in your arthritis diet to ease the pain in the joints. However, it is better to consult your doctor before making major changes in your diet.

1.    Bananas

This is a great food to fight arthritis.  Bananas fight arthritis and reduce the symptoms associated with it. It improves the overall health of the person.

•   It contains high levels of potassium which necessary for the proper functioning of cells.
•   It contains vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B6 and folate which help to improve the immune system of the body.
•   The fiber present in banana helps in the proper digestion of the food and helps to maintain the general health of the person.

2.    Olive Oil

This is one of the best oils to be used by the arthritis patients. Olive oil contains healthy monounsaturated fats which do not get oxidized in the body. Studies have shown that in people consuming olive oil the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis are less.  Make sure that you are using high quality extra virgin olive oil to achieve maximum benefits.

•   Extra virgin olive oil works similar to over- the- counter painkillers in people with arthritis.
•   Use virgin olive oil as a salad dressing or use it for cooking the vegetables to get rid of arthritis pain.
•   Do not over heat the olive oil as the nutrients in the oil get destroyed at high temperature  

• 3.    Sweet Potatoes

This should be one of the main ingredients in the menu of an arthritis patient. Sweet potatoes have more nutrients than the regular white potatoes.  They contain beta carotene, anthocyanin, vitamin A, C, soluble fiber and minerals.

•   Use organically grown orange or purple fleshed sweet potatoes.
•   You can use steamed, boiled or baked sweet potatoes to reduce the pain.
•   The vitamin C improves the immunity and anthocyanin reduces the inflammations in the joints.
•   Substitute the food preparations including white potatoes with sweet potatoes to reap the benefits of this food.

4.    Green Tea

Green tea offers many health benefits as it contains high levels of antioxidants.  Antioxidants are highly effective in reducing the arthritis pain. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the substance present in green tea which reduces the inflammation associated with arthritis.

•   Make a decoction of the green tea by boiling the green tea with water.
•   Consume at least 3-4 cups of green tea every day to reduce the pain and inflammations in the joints.

5.    Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C which helps to reduce the inflammations and to increase the body immunity against infections. The antioxidants present in bell peppers prevent the formation of free radicals in the body which causes the deterioration of health. It is better to use raw bell peppers in food preparations as the vitamin C gets destroyed when cooking.

•   The bell peppers help in collagen formation and help to maintain the skin and muscles.
•   The capsaicin present in bell peppers improves the blood supply to the joints and reduces inflammations.
•   You can use them in salads and stir –fries

6.    Whole Grains

Whole grains have the ability to reduce the inflammations in the body. While the refined grains increase the inflammations, the whole grains decrease the inflammations. They are rich sources of fiber and other nutrients.

•   Include more of whole grains in your food. There are whole grain breads and pastas available in the market.
•   You can use brown rice instead of polished white rice.
•   Include whole grain cereals in your breakfast to reduce the arthritis pain.

7.    Nuts

There are different varieties of nuts which help in reducing the level of inflammations.  Nuts provide healthy fats for the body. It is necessary to include one ounce of nuts per day in the arthritis diet to get benefitted by it.  It contains anti-oxidants and omega three fatty acids which are essential for good health. They are also rich sources of vitamin E.

•   The most important nut for arthritis pain is the walnuts.
•   Chop and add nuts to your salads, desserts or vegetable dish or you can use them as such.
•   The anti-inflammatory nutrients in walnuts play a special role in maintaining bone health.