8 Superfoods for Arthritis
Arthritis occurs because of joint inflammation and can affect one or multiple joints. There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, each with different causes. Here are some superfoods that are the best for arthritis.
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in calcium and has several bone-building benefits. More importantly, broccoli is rich in both vitamin K and C, and it comes packed with sulforaphane, a compound known to slow down the progression and prevent osteoarthritis.
2. Walnuts
Walnuts have a high ALA content and are rich in omega-3. Researchers have found that walnuts can lower C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker that increases the risk of arthritis.
3. Berries
Berries are packed with carotenoids and anthocyanins that give them their deep color. Also, berries are rich in antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, which is a form of Vitamin C. As a result, they are considered as some of the best fruits that an arthritic patient should consume.
4. Grapes
A person with arthritis should consider including grapes in their daily diet, as these are known to contain several compounds that can expedite arthritis treatment. For instance, the skin of grapes contains resveratrol, which is an antioxidant.
5. Olive oil
In the case of arthritis, extra virgin olive oil is known to reduce pain. The reason being it has properties that can decrease inflammation and help relieve joint pain. More specifically, it contains Oleocanthal, which has the same effect as anti-inflammatory medicines, such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen. Olive oil is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps lessen pain in arthritis.
6. Tart cherry juice
Consuming eight-ten ounces of tart cherry juice twice a day for 21 days can help lower inflammation-related factors of osteoarthritis. It also helps increase immunity levels. It can aid in removing stiffness, which can be a common symptom of osteoarthritis.
7. Green tea
Green tea is a great source of EGCG, an abbreviation for epigallocatechin 3-gallate that is a polyphenol with high antioxidant effects. This polyphenol has high anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, green tea is recommended for people with arthritis. Drinking three cups of green tea a day can help reduce the risk of getting Rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Whole grains
These superfoods are known to lower certain proteins called CRP that are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and several other ailments. As for arthritis, whole grains help in reducing inflammation. Examples of whole grains that arthritic patients should include in their daily diet include brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.
As you can see, the above food items are easily available and can help immensely in the treatment of arthritis. Apart from taking regular medication as prescribed by your healthcare specialist, these superfoods can help reduce the pain.