The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that between 2013 and 2015, an estimated 54.4 million U.S. adults (22.7 percent) annually were diagnosed with some form of arthritis. Including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus and fibromyalgia. It estimates that by 2040, 78 million adults will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. With symptoms including swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. There is no cure, and symptoms tend to get worse with age.
Those living with the disease have many options for relieving pain, including medications and injections. But these can come with difficult side effects, and their effectiveness may dwindle over a long period of time. Alternative options include massage, mindfulness therapy, physical therapy, yoga and tai chi, biofeedback and acupuncture. But some of the most effective natural solutions may be in your refrigerator and pantry right now.
Furthermore, ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Recent studies have supported that statement. Showing that best foods to relieve arthritis and beverages can help those with arthritis to experience less pain and swelling and may even help to slow joint damage.
Now, let’s delve into the 10 of the Best Foods to Relieve Arthritis:
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a term used to describe any disease that damages the joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type. It gradually wears away the cartilage cushioning the area between the bones until that cartilage is completely gone and the bone rests against bone. The result is pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty walking and doing other typical activities.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another common type and is an autoimmune condition. The immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing damaging inflammation and gradually eroding joint tissue. This disease may also damage the eyes, internal organs and other parts of the body.
Moreover, there are many treatment options available these days that can help ease pain and swelling, preserve joint function and mobility and increase quality of life. However, to feel your best, people with arthritis must take a holistic approach to the disease. Taking a pain-relieving pill, for example, is unlikely to bring the complete relief that you deserve.
Furthermore, a better approach is to incorporate regular exercise, stretching, alternative treatments and mindfulness therapy in a life routine. It helps promote joint preservation and comfort. Choosing best foods to relieve arthritis that support your efforts can go a long way toward sustaining needed relief.
10 of the Best Foods to Relieve Arthritis
Additionally, when researching which foods to relieve arthritis were likely to help people with arthritis. We chose those that can help reduce inflammation, ease pain and support normal joint function. Moreover, modern research has discovered that there are many nutrients in foods. Some beverages that can do all these things, and sometimes more.
1. Cherries & Tart Cherry Juice
Tart cherries have been found to help tame inflammation, which can reduce swelling and pain and make it easier to move. Furthermore, back in 2010, sports researchers reported that when women aged 40 to 70 who had inflammatory osteoarthritis drank tart cherry juice twice daily for three weeks. They experienced significant reductions in inflammatory markers in their blood.
“With millions of Americans looking for ways to naturally manage pain,” said Kerry Kuehl, lead author of the study, “it’s promising that tart cherries can help, without the possible effects often associated with arthritis medications.”
Furthermore, cherries were also found to help those with gout. In a 2012 study, researchers reported that eating at least 10 cherries a day was associated with a 50 percent lower risk of gout flares over a 48-hour period. Moreover, in a later 2014 study, researchers found that drinking tart cherry juice reduced blood levels of gout-causing uric acid.
Now, let’s explore more Best Foods to Relieve Arthritis.
2. Pineapple
Moreover, pineapples contain an enzyme called “bromelain” the helps decrease inflammation and swelling. moreover. Bromelain also has some pain-relieving properties, and these combined with its anti-inflammatory aspects make it a terrific choice for people with arthritis.
In a 2012 study, researchers noted that bromelain has many benefits, including the ability to help relieve osteoarthritis pain. In a 2004 study review, researchers noted that it “may provide a safer alternative or adjunctive treatment for osteoarthritis,” and quoted studies that showed the extract appeared to be effective as a standard treatment for arthritis of the knee.
Cut-up pineapple works great in salads. You can also use it as a snack or enjoy a small glass of pineapple juice.
Now, let’s continue to explore more Best Foods to Relieve Arthritis.
3. Salmon, Walnuts & Chia Seeds & Other Foods Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Moreover, fatty fish, seeds and nuts are all good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are powerful anti-inflammatories. Moreover, they’re so effective that, in a 2006 study, they were found to help reduce pain as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen.
A more recent study review reported that fish oil was effective in patients with RA and helped to relieve pain. A 2016 study reported that supplementation with omega-3 was so effective in RA patients that it may reduce the need for taking pain pills.
Other best foods to relieve arthritis rich in anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids include:
- Walnuts
- Flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds
- Cod liver oil
- Oysters
- Soybeans
- Egg yolks
For more anti-inflammatory foods, read our article The 12 Best Foods to Ease Inflammation and Joint Pain.
4. Broccoli & Other Cruciferous Vegetables
These vegetables are all in the cruciferous family, and they share a compound called “sulforaphane.” This compound has been shown to be just as effective at preventing joint pain as a COX-2 arthritis drug, without the side effects.
Broccoli, in particular, also has anti-inflammatory effects. In a study of more than 1,000 women, researchers found that those who ate the most cruciferous vegetables had substantially less inflammation than those who ate the least.
Moreover, these veggies may go beyond pain relief, however, to help preserve joint function. Researchers stated in one study that the sulforaphane in broccoli “slows down the destruction of cartilage in joints associated with painful and often debilitating osteoarthritis.”
Furthermore, researchers are so interested in sulforaphane that in 2015. They released the results of a study on an artificial version of the compound. This showed the ability to significantly improve bone architecture, gait balance and movement in those with osteoarthritis. Moreover,
These vegetables are all in the cruciferous family, and they share a compound called “sulforaphane.” This compound has been shown to be just as effective at preventing joint pain as a COX-2 arthritis drug, without the side effects.
Broccoli, in particular, also has anti-inflammatory effects. In a study of more than 1,000 women, researchers found that those who ate the most cruciferous vegetables had substantially less inflammation than those who ate the least.
The results were so promising, researchers stated that sulforaphane “is a promising agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis.”
Other good options in this category include bok choy, cabbage and kale.
5. Garlic & Onions
Garlic contains diallyl disulphide (DAS), a compound that some studies have indicated may limit cartilage-damaging enzymes in human cells. In 2010, researchers reported that garlic may have a protective effect on hip osteoarthritis because of this property. An earlier 2009 study also reported that DAS helped reduce inflammation in joint tissues and that it may be “of value in the treatment of joint inflammation.”
Onions are also rich sources of antioxidants and flavonoids that help inhibit inflammatory compounds that are typically active in arthritis. Both onions and garlic also contain organosulfur compounds that help prevent the formation of pro-inflammatory messengers.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is the main spice in curry and contains curcumin, a compound that helps scavenge free radicals tied to inflammation. Many studies have found that curcumin helps stop the inflammatory process. In one 2003 study, researchers noted that turmeric “may exert its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of a number of different molecules that play a role in inflammation.”
Turmeric has actually been used for thousands of years to treat arthritis, along with other conditions. Modern recent research has noted that it has potential for the complementary treatment of arthritis because it can inhibit the production of cells that cause inflammation.
Add more turmeric to your cooked dishes or consider a supplement.
7. Green Tea
Furthermore, tea is a healthy beverage no matter how you look at it. In studies focused on its ability to help relieve arthritis, results have been promising. Scientists have been looking at one antioxidant, in particular, called epigallocatechin (EGC). They reported in 2016 that it blocked the effects of RA without blocking other cellular functions. They stated that it had the potential to combat joint pain, inflammation, and tissue damage.
Moreover, when studying postmenopausal women, researchers found that green tea was helpful in reducing inflammation. Additionally, another study, determined that both green and black tea “possessed a marked anti-inflammatory effect,”. With green tea is even more active than black tea.
A number of other studies have shown similar results with green tea having a beneficial effect on inflammation.
8. Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which as mentioned above, help to reduce inflammation. ut it also contains a natural compound called oleocanthal that has been studied for its effectiveness against arthritis.
Furthermore, in 2014, for example, researchers reported that oleocanthal reduced inflammatory-related diseases,. Including joint-degenerative disease, and theorized that long-term consumption of virgin olive oil could contribute to a reduced occurrence of arthritis. Oleocanthal also inhibits COX enzymes, which means that it has a pain-relieving property similar to that of some arthritis medications.
Earlier studies also reported that oleocanthal was a natural anti-inflammatory. In 2010, researchers stated that “oleocanthal isolated from extra virgin olive oil. It was found to display nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug activity similar to that of ibuprofen.” They also found that oleocanthal helped to decrease the production of nitric oxide, which is associated with cartilage degradation.
Use olive oil on your salads or as a bread dip or use it to cook your foods over low or medium heat.
9. Ginger
You may have heard that ginger can help ease nausea. Additionally, it has also been found in studies to help ease arthritis pain. About 250 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who were suffering from moderate to severe pain participated in the study. Where they took either a ginger extract or a placebo twice daily. Those receiving ginger experienced more reduction in knee pain and were able to take fewer pain medications as a result.
Furthermore, ginger seems to have anti-inflammatory properties, similar to ibuprofen and COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib. What’s more, it also seems to shut off certain inflammatory genes. Which may make it even more effective than standard pain relievers. In a 2015 study review, researchers found that ginger helped reduce pain and disability associated with OA. Additionally, in 2014, they concluded that ginger was a potential treatment for RA.
Try adding ginger spice to your foods more often or enjoy a nice cup of ginger tea.
10. Avocados & Avocado Oil
Researchers have discovered that certain avocado components inhibit molecules and pathways involved in OA. They prevent cartilage degradation and promote cartilage repair by stimulating the production of collagen. Moreover, they also help reduce inflammation, reducing pain and stiffness and improving joint function. A 2015 study noted that a dietary supplement of avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (fatty substances) could help decrease dependence on pain relievers.
Additionally, avocados also have the unique capability of suppressing two chemicals that cause inflammation in the body: nitric oxide synthase (INOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). According to a 2000 study, a constituent in avocados called persenone A has anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
To incorporate more avocados into your diet, consider using them in your salads and sandwiches. You might also want to try avocado oil for low- to medium-heat cooking. As high heat can destroy the antioxidants they offer. Is this conversation helpful so far?
If you want to overcome the aches and pains that have been keeping you from enjoying life. Now, let’s explore more best foods to relieve arthritis and check out Joint Complex 4000, here!
