Each one of us might have experienced some aches and pains of joints. These joint pains are aggravated during the cold months of the year. One resorts to medicines for it. Why not first give natural foods a chance and see? There are certain foods that possess anti-inflammatory properties and could help ease these pains.
Joint pains
Joints pains are aches in the joints of the body due to any cause. Overwork, overuse, some diseases, trauma, or weather: the reasons are multiple.
Most of the people try to bear the pains. But if it gets intolerable, they use oral or injectable medicines for relief. But medicines are not without their adverse effects.
There are certain foods that fight inflammation and could be beneficial in this condition.
Joint pains reduce life quality (Source: John Hopkins Medicine)Nutritionist Elizabeth Ward shares:
“The dietary advice for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is essentially the same balanced, high-fiber, plate-based diet that includes seafood on a regular basis,”
“Body fat is pro-inflammatory. By eating this way people may find they lose eight while preserving muscle, which supports joints, taking pressure off weight-bearing joints and reducing overall inflammation and joint pain.”
Fatty fish
Fatty or oily fish contains a lot of omega 3 fatty acids. These include tuna, sardines, salmon, herring and the like. The omega 3 fatty acids esse joint pains.
Fatty fish (Source: Z living)Fruits and vegetables
Certain fruits such as berries, pomegranate, apples and citrus fruits are especially good for joint aches relief. Vegetables like broccoli can also ease them. Elizabeth states:
“Fruits and vegetables are powerhouse foods rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation in joints and muscles,”
“They also supply fiber to keep you fuller for longer and help maintain your blood glucose level better than foods rich in simple sugars.”
Whole grains
Whole grains can lower the inflammatory markers in the blood such as the C reactive protein. Moreover, whole wheat products, quinoa, oats and brown rice cause a marked reduction in C reactive protein and thus decrease pain of joints.
Olive oil (Source: Wikipedia)Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are great for relief of aches of joints. Walnuts are especially beneficial in this matter. They have alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega 3 fatty acids that protect the heart and benefit cognition. They also minimize the joint aches. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that nuts caused a marked reduction in C reactive protein levels of blood. There was symptomatic improvement in pains in a significant number of the 5000 participants.
Olive oil
Julie opines:
“Extra virgin olive oil is one of the best fats to include in your diet because it can help manage cholesterol and provides beneficial antioxidants,”
It has a polyphenol, oleocanthal whose action is like the anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen.
Also, read Arthritis: which foods to avoid in this debilitating joint disorder?
Turmeric
Several studies have shown benefits of this spice in easing pains of the joints. It has curcumin, a polyphenol that has anti-inflammatory properties. A meta analysis published in the journal, Journal of Medicinal Food stated that 1 gram of curcumin can remarkably reduce joint pains.