What Foods Should You Eat If You Have Arthritis?

by Craig Morton

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects millions of people around the world. Though there is no cure, there are ways you can go about alleviating pain, controlling inflammation, and stopping the disease from getting worse. One positive way to achieve these goals is by eating anti-inflammatory foods. Yet, we must be realistic — this will only ever go so far in treating your pain. Pain cream can help you target your pain and get more immediate results. If you are looking for the best pain cream, order AcuPlus’s pain cream and start experiencing relief fast!

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This is a two-part guide, with the first article going over foods to avoid to reduce arthritis pain and this second one providing a list of great, anti-inflammatory foods that can reduce your arthritis pain.

Foods That Can Reduce Your Arthritis Pain

At this point, it may feel like anything you eat will cause inflammation and subsequently inflame your arthritis. This is not true! The following foods can actually have an inflammation-reducing impact:

#1: Fruit

Fruit contains healthy, inflammation-fighting nutrients that can help with arthritis pain. As an added bonus, fruit can help with weight management and lower your risk of heart disease. Some fruits that are particularly good for reducing inflammation are:

  • Blueberries — The words “blueberries” and “antioxidants” are practically synonymous today. Not only do blueberries help reduce inflammation, they also increase bone and heart health. 
  • Cherries — Cherries contain a particular type of antioxidant called anthocyanins that help prevent heart disease. They also are helpful for people with diabetes. 
  • Strawberries — Another anti-inflammatory fruit are strawberries. If you are looking for pain relief through an arthritis-conscious diet, add strawberries to your grocery list!

#2: Fish

Fish is probably the most famous type of anti-inflammatory food out there. As fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can help moderate inflammation, diets that are rich in fatty fish such as herring, tuna, and salmon can have a significant impact on your rheumatoid arthritis pain. Continue eating over time to see greater results. 

#3: Vegetables

There are a number of vegetables out there that have been shown to lower inflammation through C-reactive protein tests. The fiber in vegetables also helps regulate the digestive system, which may contribute to improved well-being. Powerful inflammation-fighting vegetables include the following:

  • Broccoli — Enjoy the benefits of broccoli, including its high amount of fiber and vitamin A. Broccoli also contains kaempferol, a flavonoid that may help fight inflammation. 
  • Spinach — Spinach is much like broccoli in that it has high fiber, plenty of vitamin A, and may help reduce inflammation.
  • Brussel sprouts — Brussel sprouts have a good bit of omega-3 fatty acids, providing you some great anti-inflammatory benefits. 

#4: Beans & Nuts

Beans are full of fiber and protein, which can positively impact your immune system and lower inflammation. The same goes for nuts. Both of these foods can help lower your C-reactive protein levels, leading to lower levels of inflammation. Particularly effective beans and nuts are:

  • Walnuts — Walnuts contain a number of quite unique phytonutrients that can help reduce inflammation. 
  • Soybeans — These beans are rich in B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, along with other beneficial nutrients. 

#5: The Right Oils

There are some good and some bad oils for an arthritis-conscious diet. Instead of hydrogenated oils and corn oil, choose oils like extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, or avocado oil. All of these oils can help you fight inflammation and help regulate your body’s fat. 

Reducing Inflammation & Arthritis Pain

Overall, you want to be choosing foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, high in antioxidants, and more plant-based. When it comes to choosing fruit, focus on foods that are blue, red, and purple. When it comes time to snacktime, choose nuts and beans over chips or candy. Lastly, try and add more fish into your weekly dinner plan. Follow these suggestions, as well as the suggestions in Part I of this article series, and start the process of reducing your arthritis pain. 

However, remember: there is no one-size-fits-all anti-inflammatory diet. It is recommended to work with a nutritionist or your doctor and experiment with different foods to find out what works best for you. 

Cutting back on food that increases inflammation and eating more food that helps reduce it can be an effective way of reducing arthritis pain. Couple healthy meal choices along with exercise and good sleep to reduce your pain even more. However, if after trying these lifestyle changes you are still suffering from joint pain, try out AcuPlus’s fast-acting topical pain reliever. Order yours today!

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