10 Must-Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Relieve Arthritis Pain and Increase Mobility

Last updated on 1 MAR 2019

Are you experiencing pain and stiffness in your joints that seems to get worse as you age? Are you finding that this pain and stiffness is limiting your ability to do the things that you were once able to do with ease, like open jars or take walks? If so, you could be suffering from arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that causes an inflammation in the joints. There are more than 200 types of inflammation in the joints, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. It happens when the tissue that acts as a cushion between the joints wears away, thus causing the joints to rub together. As a result of this rubbing, pain and stiffness develop and limit your mobility.

There are several conditions that can lead to arthritis, including a faulty diet, injury, genetics and infections.

Foods that Combat Arthritis

No matter what type of arthritis you have, how you got it, or how it is affecting you, making changes to your diet could help to ease your pain and increase your mobility. Here are ten must-eat anti-inflammatory foods to add to your daily diet to help reduce your arthritis symptoms:

Top 10 Anti-Inflammatory Foods To Eat Regularly

1.  Beetroot

Beetroot helps dilate vessels and improve blood circulation. It is one of the best anti-inflammatory foods that help reduce pains. Two phytonutrients from beetroot, betanin and vulgaxanthin have been shown to provide anti-inflammatory and detoxification support. Try out any of these beetroot juice recipes to heal your liver and reduce inflammation.

2.  Ginger

Like ginger? That’s great news if you have arthritis. Ginger has compounds that are similar to those compounds found in anti-inflammatory medications. So, by adding ginger root to your diet, you’ll reap the same or better benefits than you would if you were to take aspirin or ibuprofen (besides, ginger root is much tastier).

3.  Olive Oil

Research has found that compounds found in ibuprofen are similar to those derived from cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. As such, it can be a great way to reduce inflammation, pain and stiffness.

4.  Cherries

Cherries, especially the tart variety, are packed with anthocyanins, which are believed to be more effective at relieving inflammation than aspirin. For gout inflammation, eat about 40-50 tart cherries every day to gradually reduce gout attacks.

5.  Citrus Fruits

If you love citrus, you would love to know this: Citrus fruits like oranges, limes, grapefruits and lemons contain a ton of vitamin C, which helps synthesis of collagen, builds and repairs tendons, ligaments and bone. Pretty much, citrus is your best friend if you suffer from arthritis.

6.  Fermented Foods

Ensuring that your gut health is in tip top conditioning and well functioning will greatly help reduce chronic inflammation. Fermented foods such as kefir, natto, kimchi, miso, tempeh, pickles, sauerkraut, olives, and other fermented vegetables, will help repopulate your gut with beneficial bacteria that rids the body of toxins that cause inflammation.

7.  Oily Fish

Eating fish, especially cold water fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel, can help to reduce overall inflammation and ease pains that are caused by arthritis. Fish is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

8.  Green Leafy Vegetables

Dark leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, Collard greens and Swiss chard contain powerful antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C—all of which help protect against cellular damage. Ideally, opt for organic locally grown vegetables that are in season, and consider making raw greens at least 50% of your daily diet. Juicing is an excellent way to get more greens into your diet.

9.  Pineapple

Pineapple is one of the best anti-inflammatory foods that often helps to relieve pain.

It contains bromelain, a natural pain killer compound that reduces not only inflammation in arthritis, but also in other inflammatory conditions like asthma, gout and migraines.

If you’re not diabetic, drinking a glass of pineapple juice, may almost instantly reduce the intensity of pain.

10.  Water

Many people daily drink less water than what their body requires. Over time, chronic dehydration causes the body to cry out in pain. Arthritis is one of lifestyle disease that may be helped by drinking plenty of water daily. See how much water you need to drink for your body size, and drink a more than that. Drinking water is therapeutic.

Add these ten items to your diet daily to reduce the suffering from arthritis.

References:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/rheumatoid-arthritis-pictures/foods-that-fight-inflammation.aspx
https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/best-foods-for-arthritis/best-foods-for-arthritis.php

About Sara Ding

Sara Ding is the founder of Juicing-for-Health.com. She is a certified Wellness Health Coach, Nutritional Consultant and a Detox Specialist. She helps busy men and women identify their health issues at the root cause, in order to eliminate the problems for optimum physical/mental health and wellbeing.

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