Alcohol and Arthritis. Drink in moderation, if at all. If you enjoy a glass of wine or pint of beer with dinner, you might wonder whether alcohol is a friend or foe to arthritis. The answer is, it's a bit of both.
Alcohol's inflammatory effects can aggravate both degenerative joint pain from osteoarthritis and auto-immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis may flare up in response to a particular type of whiskey or beer. Alcohol's effects on immune function can also inhibit normal joint healing.
There's no direct evidence that alcohol has either a positive or negative impact on the condition of arthritic joints, says Rebecca L. Manno, MD, MHS, assistant professor of medicine in the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center in Baltimore. That said, individuals differ in how alcohol influences how their joints feel.
Foods or drinks that are rich in purine (an aromatic organic compound), such as beer, distilled liquor, and wine, are known to trigger gout attacks. Moreover, grain-based alcohol, such as beer, that contains gluten is known to trigger joint pain and flare-up the symptoms of RA.
Rum. Rum is also grain-free, which means it's less inflammatory than other choices.
Alcohol worsens arthritis because of its inflammatory effects. Drinking can aggravate both degenerative joint pain from osteoarthritis and arthritis caused by auto-immune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. It's also best to avoid consuming foods and drinks that are high in purine, such as beer.
Everyone knows that alcohol works as a depressant when it enters the bloodstream, influencing the functions of your body. However, it also depletes your body of water and nutrients, which in turn increases inflammation. That exacerbated inflammation in the body can be directly linked to joint pain.
A 1941 Time Magazine article stated, “Whiskey is one of the cheapest and best painkillers known to man.” During the civil war, paramedics would give wounded soldiers whiskey when they ran out of opioids to keep the pain more manageable.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – Since coffee has several anti-inflammatory properties, it could potentially benefit those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Reducing inflammation can help ease joint pain, and caffeine's stimulatory effects can help combat mental and physical fatigue common with this condition.
Heavy alcohol consumption contributes to systemic inflammation by interfering with the body's natural defenses against the influx of gut microbiota and its products.
Other lifestyle changes that can help reduce inflammation include exercising for 20 minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep (7-9 hours/night), and decreasing stress through relaxation and mindfulness techniques.
Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear of the joint over time or because of overuse. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma are caused by the body's immune system attacking the body's own tissues. Gout is caused by the buildup of crystals in the joints. Some forms of arthritis can be linked to genes.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain.
While moderate drinking may reduce some risks of developing arthritis, if you already suffer from arthritis or a condition like gout, it may do more harm than good. Enjoying a drink with some regularity might reduce your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a few studies.
Malbec. As an especially thick-skinned variety, Malbec claims higher antioxidant levels than other red wines especially in terms of resveratrol. This variety has two to four times the amount of anti-inflammatory, health boosting antioxidants than other popular red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
When a person drinks too much alcohol, blood vessels dilate, activating the release of lymph fluid in the body. Because alcohol is a diuretic, drinking too much also causes the kidneys to release more fluids. Cervical lymph nodes may swell as a reaction to excessive amounts of alcohol, causing pain.
Bananas are high in magnesium, which helps strengthen bones and alleviate arthritis symptoms.
Red meat and processed meats, including bacon, hot dogs, lunch meats and cured meats. Refined grains, including white bread, white rice, pasta and breakfast cereals. Snack foods, including chips, cookies, crackers and pastries.
Citrus fruits cause inflammation
Some people believe that they should avoid citrus fruits because the acidity is inflammatory.
#4 Healthiest Alcoholic Drink: Rum, Gin, Scotch, Whiskey, or Tequila Neat. Any hard spirits without added sugary mixers are inherently low in calories and sugar and are, therefore, a good option for alcoholic drinks on a diet.