Health Tips : 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
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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 PATATOES
This should be one of the main ingredients in the menu of an
arthritispatient. 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.
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5. 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 benefited 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.
6. MANGO
Mangos are not available throughout the year, but make sure that to
eat them whenever you get the chance to reduce the arthritis pain.
Mangoes have a number of antioxidants in them. Ripe mangos are a rich
source of beta carotene. The beta carotene prevents arthritis from
getting worse.
• You can eat ripe mangoes or can have them in your fruit salads.
• You can use them in the form of fresh mango juice or mango shake