Foods to Avoid for Arthritis Management
The occurrence of swelling or tenderness observed in one or joints of the body is known as arthritis. This condition is usually observed in older people and the symptoms observed may vary from mild to severe. For people suffering from arthritis, it is observed that certain changes in their diet can help ease the symptoms a little bit and provide them some relief from the pain. Here are some foods that must be avoided by people suffering from arthritis pain:
- Sugar
High amounts of sugar in your diet can lead to elevated levels of a toxin called advanced glycation end product (AGE) in your body. These toxins can cause damage to certain proteins in your body and may also lead to inflammation. AGEs are known to get typically accumulated in the tissues of the joints. - Processed foods
Processed food items such as prepackaged meals and items and items containing trans fats are observed to increase the symptoms of arthritis and cause intense swelling and pain. - Inflammatory fats
There are certain fats and fatty acids that result in the release of inflammatory chemicals from the body. These include trans fats, saturated fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. So foods like oil, butter, cheese, meat, etc., must be avoided by people suffering from arthritis. - Nightshades
Vegetables that come from plants from the Solanaceae family contain large amounts of a chemical called solanine and are termed as nightshades. These compounds are known to trigger the symptoms of arthritis and cause the pain to worsen. So, foods like tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, etc, are ones to avoid for the prevention of arthritis pain. - Dairy
Most dairy products are very rich in saturated fats as well as advanced glycation end products, which are both known to worsen the symptoms of arthritis. Aside from fermented dairy products like Greek yogurt, which contain anti-inflammatory properties, almost all dairy products must be avoided by patients suffering from arthritis. - Aerated drinks
Sodas and other fizzy drinks contain large amounts of sugar in them that are very harmful to the body when consumed in excess. Even in the case of diet sodas or drinks containing sugar alternatives, these chemicals are known to trigger inflammatory responses in certain individuals. In fact, in healthy individuals too, excessive consumption of sugary drinks can increase the chances of getting diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. - Alcohol
Increased consumption of alcohol is known to potentially increase a lot of health risks in people. It can trigger an inflammatory response in people suffering from arthritis and can also amplify the risk of getting diagnosed with gout. Moreover, if the patient is on a regular prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the consumption of alcohol can have a very negative effect on the body and may result in stomach bleeding. It is not exactly a food, but it is definitely one of the major things to avoid to prevent arthritis pain. It is recommended that people with the condition cut back on their drinking habits or quit drinking altogether. - Salt
While consumption of excessive salt can cause a lot of health problems, in the case of arthritis specifically, it is known to increase inflammation in the joints.