Carrots Pack Anti-Arthritis Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene Add carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes to your anti-arthritis shopping list, too, Sandon says. These and other orange-hued vegetables are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, both of which are believed to fight inflammation.
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, Swiss chard and bok choy are packed with antioxidants like vitamins A, C and K, which protect cells from free-radical damage. These foods are also high in bone-preserving calcium.
Cucumber extract is effective in reducing pain related to moderate knee osteoarthritis(OA) and can be potentially used in the management of knee pain, stiffness, and physical functions related to OA.
Along with fiber and vitamin C, apples are packed with polyphenols, healthful phytonutrients including epicatechin, catechin, quercetin and condensed tannins (also known as procyanidins), a type of flavonoid that may make apples a suitable snack to reduce risk and help treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Unlike most fruits, avocados are a good source of vitamin E, a micronutrient with anti-inflammatory effects. Diets high in these compounds are linked to decreased risk of the joint damage seen in early osteoarthritis.
Consuming healthy fats can increase joint health and lubrication. Foods high in healthy fats include salmon, trout, mackerel, avocados, olive oil, almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds. The omega-3 fatty acids in these foods will assist in joint lubrication.
Beets are also rich in nitrates, which reduce inflammation by removing harmful compounds from your bloodstream. This combination of betalains and nitrates makes beets a great choice for people with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Several studies have shown that saturated fats trigger adipose (fat tissue) inflammation, which is not only an indicator for heart disease but it also worsens arthritis inflammation. Pizza and cheese are the biggest sources of saturated fats in the average American diet, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers all contain the chemical solanine, which some blame for arthritis pain. However, the Arthritis Foundation say that there is no scientific evidence for this. Adding these nutritious vegetables to the diet can have many benefits for chronic health conditions.
Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium that can increase bone density. Magnesium may also alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Tea is one of the best beverages for arthritis patients due to its many health benefits. Green, black and white teas are all rich in anti-inflammatory compounds like polyphenols. Green tea is generally viewed as the most beneficial because of its active ingredient “epigallocatechin-3-gallate” or EGCG.
If you are suffering from joint pain or arthritis, honey is an effective natural remedy to consider. It has antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation and can help fight off disease-causing bacteria in your body.
Eggs and inflammation
On the contrary, eggs have been shown to contain compounds that may have anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, eating two eggs per week as a part of a well-balanced diet is recommended for most adults, including those with arthritis ( 9 ).
If you think your joint inflammation is due to a sudden injury, the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method is the first line of treatment to reduce pain and swelling. See an orthopedist if the pain and swelling don't diminish after RICE treatment.
PROBIOTICS FOUND IN GREEK YOGURT SHOWN TO DECREASE INFLAMMATION OF ARTHRITIS. Probiotic supplementation was found to reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation in a recent randomized controlled study.
A study in 217 people with rheumatoid arthritis noted that among 20 foods, sugar-sweetened soda and desserts were the most frequently reported to worsen RA symptoms ( 2 ). What's more, sugary beverages like soda may significantly increase your risk of arthritis.
Make sure you opt for low-fat milk to avoid consuming extra calories and saturated fat. Orange, tomato, pineapple and carrot juices are all high in the antioxidant, vitamin C, which can neutralize free radicals that lead to inflammation.
The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes has been shown to fight inflammation, and eating them regularly can help ease joint pain and other symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. If you're looking for a delicious way to reduce inflammation, add some sweet potatoes to a salad or bake alongside protein!
However, the combination of healthy plant compounds like luteolin, along with antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory components, is why some nutrition and dietary experts tout celery as a good food for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Berries are rich in antioxidants and the Arthritis Foundation notes that blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and boysenberries all provide arthritis-fighting power.
Regular exercise can help those stiff, painful joints. It also keeps bones and muscles strong. Choose exercises such as gentle stretching, resistance training, and low-impact aerobics (swimming, water aerobics). Use caution with any activity that puts pressure on the joints, like jogging or heavy weight lifting.
What foods are high in glucosamine? Food sources of glucosamine are few and far between. The only natural food sources are shellfish shells from shrimp, lobster and crabs. It's these shells that are harvested and used to make the synthetic version of glucosamine that goes into the supplements that are made in labs.