At first, changing one’s dietary habits to manage multiple sclerosis, a condition that affects the central nervous system, may not seem to help much. However, evidence suggests that avoiding certain foods reduces the overall inflammation associated with the disease. Poor food choices can also worsen the condition, contributing to cognitive changes and weak bowel or bladder function. Read on to know which foods to avoid for managing multiple sclerosis better:

Saturated fats
Saturated fats are directly linked to heart disease and are best avoided by multiple sclerosis patients. Primarily, fats that come from animal sources like red meat, full-fat cheese, butter, and whole milk and yogurt, along with fats from plant sources like coconut and palm oil, should be avoided. Less than 10 percent of the total calories each day should come from saturated fats if one is trying to lower their risk of multiple sclerosis and cholesterol levels.

Sugar
Cookies, cakes, and sugary beverages are among the top foods to avoid for managing multiple sclerosis. Sugary foods and drinks just add extra calories to the diet without any nutritional value. Packing pounds makes it more difficult to manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and triggers inflammation, which may worsen the condition. According to a study, people who drank about two cans of sugar-sweetened beverages reported experiencing more severe symptoms.

Sodium
A recent study has found that people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who consume a high-sodium diet are likely to face relapse and are at a greater risk of developing new lesions. Excess salt can also spike blood pressure levels and limit the life expectancy of people prone to the condition. According to the American Heart Association, a person should aim for lower than 2,300 milligrams of sodium intake a day if they’re healthy and 1,500 milligrams if they have a heart condition.

Cow’s milk
The saturated fat content of cow’s milk has several harmful effects, and some multiple sclerosis patients may react strongly to certain proteins present in milk. Some researchers, however, don’t believe that there’s a strong link between milk and multiple sclerosis. In any case, if one wishes to eliminate cow’s milk from their diet to help manage the symptoms, they must ensure that they consume other sources of calcium, protein, and vitamin D.

Gluten
There is a higher incidence of celiac disease, an autoimmune disease characterized by gluten intolerance, among people with multiple sclerosis. Wheat, barley, and rye contain the most amount of gluten, and people with celiac disease must eliminate gluten from their diet to prevent intestinal damage. While there is no clear evidence suggesting that avoiding foods with gluten is helpful for managing multiple sclerosis, research says that patients felt better when they eliminated gluten. If one is not finding relief with other things, reducing gluten intake may be an option.