Food and arthritis
About 23 percent of US adults have been diagnosed with arthritis. There is no known cure for the disease, but there are many ideas about what can help ease the symptoms.
Does milk cause more pain? Are tomatoes off the safe list?
Tomatoes
Pity the poor tomato. Long thought to be poisonous, it is often malignant in aggravating arthritis. Tomatoes naturally produce a toxin called solanine. This toxin is thought which causes inflammation, swelling and joint pain.
However, no relationship was found between arthritis pain and tomatoes – or some of their relatives, such as potatoes and eggplants.
So how did this myth begin? The tomato plants have leaves which are poisonous to protect the fruit from animals and fungi.
As for potatoes, avoid those with green spots. These green spots contain toxins that could make you sick.
Citrus
If you love to eat grapefruit, then you should ask your doctor about what kind of medications you should not take.
This healthy breakfast staple can interact with certain medications, such as those used to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, infections, and heart problems. But no evidence links citrus fruits to arthritis.
In fact, the vitamin C found in citrus can actually help your arthritis. It can cause your body to start making collagen, an essential part of healthy bones.
Vinegar
Some of them state that arthritis pain can be reduce by drinking apple cider vinegar and also reduce disease progression because the vinegar can destroys free radicals which can lead to inflammation. This is simply not the case.
Don’t avoid vinegar altogether – save it for salads.
Raisins soaked in gin
Raisins soaked in gin may make your arthritis symptoms go away—but only until the effects of the alcohol wear off. People also a belief that joint pain can be relieve by raisins that contain sulfur.
However, there is no evidence that raisins soaked in gin or any other combination of alcohol and food will improve your arthritis.
On the other hand, too much alcohol can damage your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness and worsening your arthritis. Drinking red wine can make the pain worse, if your arthritis is complicated by gout.
Dairy products
Many of them also believe that arthritis symptoms can be reduce by avoiding dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese . This idea is based on the belief that many people are lactose intolerant, which means that their body does not absorb dairy products properly.
Milk allergies are also on the rise, fueling this speculation.
Any condition that impairs absorption prevents your body from getting the nutrients it needs, which can compromise your immune system. But National Institutes of Health stated that we can intake dairy products in small quantity without causing any symptoms.
Gelatin
Does gelatin give you gelatinous joints? This food myth probably stems from the outdated (and incorrect) thinking that the physical properties in a food will manifest in beneficial ways for the body.
Twisted gelatin won’t make stiff joints more wobbly. Gelatin makes no difference to arthritis pain. If you don’t care, avoid it. If it’s popular, indulge in moderation.
Shoe salt
According to many people, arthritis can increase if the weather is rainy or humid. Hence the old wives tale that sprinkling salt in your shoes will relieve arthritis pain.
The idea is that salt, which naturally attracts moisture to itself, will wick moisture away from the body and reduce joint swelling. Too bad it’s not that simple. There is no medical reason to sport high sodium heels.
Fasting
There is no shortage of information about fasting and its purported health benefits. Research have concluded that, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be improved by fasting. However, the positive effects are short-lived and symptoms will return once you return to a normal diet.
There is no evidence that fasting helps treat arthritis.
Arthritic joints can decrease the pressure by maintaining a healthy weight . However, there are healthier ways to do this than fasting.
For example, exercise for at least 30 minutes at least 3 days a week, choose healthier foods such as fruits, vegetables and lean meats, and reduce your daily caloric intake.
Omega 3
Here is one arthritis remedy with significant evidence to support its effectiveness. Omega-3 fatty acids – found in fatty fish such as salmon, walnuts, flax, chia and other foods – can help reduce inflammation and arthritis pain.
For supplements, consume up to 2.6 grams twice daily for potential therapeutic effect. However, watch out for bruising or bleeding gums and reduce the dose if they occur.
What really helps:
The most consistent evidence linking arthritis relief to diet is simple:
- Eat a nutritional diet with a priority on fruits and vegetables.
- Eat more fresh foods and less processed foods.
- Make sure the calories you consume provide as many nutrients as possible – that means no junk food.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- If you start to notice an association with certain food groups and increased joint pain or swelling, try reducing or eliminating that food for a while and then try adding a small amount back to see if the association still occurs.
High-fiber diets rich in raw fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean protein are the best choices for feeling good.
Image Source: Healthline
Also Read: Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: Fever, Swelling and Prevention
