Arthritis is a health condition in which you experience inflammation in the joints. As a result, you feel pain and stiffness in your joints, which can interfere with your daily routine.
Adding or removing certain foods or food types from your regular diet can help you ease the symptoms of arthritis. Have a look.
5 Foods To Eat If You Have Arthritis
Here are some foods that can help you manage your arthritis much better and bring down the pain, stiffness and inflammation:
1. Cherries
Did you know that having cherries every day can actually help bring down the inflammation and reduce pain? Cherries contain an ingredient known as anthocyanins that is known to reduce inflammation. You can have it raw as it is, or drink fresh cherry juice twice a day.
2. Turmeric
This staple Indian spice is known for its healing properties and its special powers in healing inflammation. Do you remember drinking that glass of warm milk and turmeric to ease a sore throat or reduce body ache? Turmeric can work very effectively in protecting you against inflammation and pain. You can have it as turmeric milk, add it in most of your foods, or, if you can, eat a raw piece of turmeric each day.
3. Ginger
Ginger is loaded with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make it a perfect food choice for arthritis. The best part about ginger is that you can have it in various forms, on a daily basis, and use its beneficial properties to get the best for your overall health. Have it in your dals, curries and vegetables, drink it as ginger tea, have it warm with milk, or eat a raw piece if you can.
4. Calcium
Calcium is known to be good for the health of your bones and joints, and a deficiency could lead to osteoporosis. Make sure you include a lot of calcium rich foods in your diet, to keep your joints and bones strong and ease your arthritis symptoms. Some good sources of calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt, calcium enriched oats, fish such as sardines and calcium enriched soya.
5. Omega 3
Having foods rich in omega 3 can bring down your inflammation especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis. While it is good to have foods rich in omega 3, remember that if your main source for the same is oily fish, do not consume it for more than thrice a week. Some very rich sources of omega 3 are salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, fish oil supplements, walnuts, spinach, soybeans and chia seeds.
Foods To Avoid If You Have Arthritis
Here are some foods you should definitely stay away from that can aggravate your arthritis symptoms:
1. Processed Or Fried Foods
One of the biggest reasons you should avoid these types of foods is that not having these will help your body strengthen its natural defence mechanism. Also, eating processed foods on a regular basis can make you gain weight, and cause more stress on your already painful joints.
2. Sugary Foods And Refined Carbs
Foods that are high on sugar as well as refined carbs can lead to an increase in the Advanced Glycation End Product (AGE). It is a type of toxin that can cause damage to some types of protein in your body. When found in certain parts of the body, AGEs can cause inflammation as well as lead to arthritis.
3. Foods High On Salt
Foods that contain an extra amount of salt can lead to joint inflammation and worsen an already existing arthritis condition. It is important to cut down your salt intake to take care of your arthritis, as well as your overall health.
4. Omega 6
While having foods rich in omega 3 is known to be good in reducing inflammation and helping with arthritis, having foods rich in omega 6 is harmful. Some such foods include durum wheat, whole grains, nuts and vegetable oils.
5. Red Meat
Red meat often contains a lot of saturated fat that can worsen your inflammation. It also contains high levels of omega 6 and can lead to overall weight gain, which will put extra pressure on your joints.
Make sure that you follow a particular diet plan to ease your arthritis woes, along with doing the right type of exercises that can bring back flexibility and strength to your joints and muscles.
