Dietary restrictions and interventions, like avoiding certain beverages and foods, may help slow the severity of the symptoms of arthritis and help improve the quality of life. Arthritis is a common health issue that involves chronic inflammation to the joints. It is responsible for causing pain to bones, joints and other body parts, depending on the arthritis type. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to which many people succumb to.
In this article, you can read about the types of food you need to avoid with arthritis.
- Sugar
If you have arthritis, you need to limit your intake of processed sugar. Added sugars are found in ice cream, soda, candy
and many other food items, even in items like barbeque sauce. Sugary foods worsens the symptoms of arthritis and increases the risk of arthritis.
- Red meats and Processed Meat
Eating a lot of red meat and processed meat can trigger the risk of developing arthritis. It's also best to limit the intake of snacks, prepackaged foods, and baked goods because they often contain trans fats, which are added to preserve them. These types of fats can cause inflammation in your body and are also found in foods with partially hydrogenated oils. By cutting back on these foods, you can help strengthen your body's defense system and reduce inflammation.
- Omega -6 fatty Acids
While omega – 3 fatty acids are to be increased in your diet, omega - 6 fatty acids can trigger chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. Omega - 6 fatty acids are present in sunflower, corn, soy oils and peanut.
- Refined Carbs
Refined carbohydrates known as refined grains can cause a spike in the blood glucose levels which is responsible for increasing inflammation in the body. Flour products like pasta, white breads, and crackers all contain refined carbohydrates. People who are sensitive to gluten might have inflammation and joint pains in consuming wheat products.
- Dairy Products
The protein present in dairy products and milk can cause irritation to the tissues around the joints. Foods like, mayonnaise, cream cheese, butter, cheese and margarine contain a large quantity of saturated fats and induce inflammation in the body and should be consumed minimally.
Some dairy products like Greek yogurt which are fermented, have anti-inflammatory properties and can be consumed by people who do not have dairy allergy.
- Eggs
Consuming eggs regularly can cause an increase in the amount of swelling and pain in the joints. The yolks of the egg contains arachidonic acid which is responsible for triggering inflammation in the body. Eggs also have saturated fat in them that can induce joint pain.
- Alcohol and Tobacco
Drinking too much alcohol is proven to increase inflammation in the body and also causes other health risks. Refraining from alcohol completely for over a month may show significant benefits in the body including the reduction of arthritis pain. This will also help you in having a better sleep which in itself helps relieving the symptoms. Consumption of alcohol can also increase the risk or exacerbate the symptoms. Also frequent tobacco consumption is known to increase the risk of arthritis.
- Salty Foods
Cutting back and reducing the addition of salt in your diet will help a lot if you have arthritis. Foods that contain a high amount of salt includes pizza, canned soup, certain cheese, shrimp, processed meat and other processed items. A study found that arthritis was found to be more severe in people taking an increased level of salt in their food than those consuming a minimal amount of salt.
Foods to Include in your Diet:
Chemical compounds that are naturally found in fruits, vegetables and meats may contain anti-inflammatory traits. Some such anti-inflammatory foods are listed here.
- Fresh fruits like apples, pear, apricots, bananas and berries.
- Nuts like almonds and walnuts
- Dark green vegetables like broccoli and spinach.
- Spices like ginger, turmeric and garlic
- Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel and trout are rich in omega -3 fatty acids and vitamin D which are rich in anti-inflammatory properties.
- Whole grains like barley, millets and oats.
Bottom Line:
If you have arthritis, then a change in your lifestyle is recommended. Adhering to a healthy diet and lifestyle can help you in reducing your symptoms. Avoid certain foods that triggers the symptoms of arthritis and keep in mind that lifestyle changes like your activity levels, body mass, and smoking status are vital while you try to manage arthritis.