Avoid These 5 Inflammatory Foods To Ease Joint Pain
As a leading orthopaedic practice serving patients throughout the Triangle region, we care about your bone and joint health. Not only do we offer comprehensive surgical and non-surgical orthopaedic care, but we also advise our patients about things they can on their own to increase strength and mobility and improve their overall health. Choosing the right foods is a basic place to start.
Smart food choices are important for everyone, especially for those who suffer from joint pain and inflammation. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a well-balanced diet should be full of plant-based foods. The FDA recommends a diet of two-thirds fruits, vegetables and whole grains, leaving one-third for lean protein and low-fat dairy.
While some foods may help fight inflammation in the joints and muscles, studies have found that others can exacerbate inflammation, causing pain in the knees, back and other parts of the body. Compounds found in certain foods can trigger the body to produce chemicals that cause inflammation as well as other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
To help decrease joint and muscle pain and inflammation, try eliminating these foods from your diet or consume them in moderation:
What Are The Other Factors That Relieve Joint Pain
The following healthy practices can help alleviate joint pain:
- Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day.
- Follow a diet, such as Mediterranean-style diet, to reduce inflammation and decrease the symptoms of arthritis, risk of heart disease, blood pressure and help manage weight and curb joint pain.
- Increase daily fiber intake.
- Eat food rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamin C and D and other essential nutrients to improve the health of the bone and joints.
- Good sleep habits also help reduce inflammation and stress in the body. Seven to nine hours of sleep per night is preferred for people seeking to reduce inflammation in the body.
How Foods Inflict Pain
To understand how certain foods can trigger pain, you first need to understand inflammation and the role that it plays in diet and disease.
Inflammation is a normal immune response that helps protect the body against injury and infection. When you get a bug bite, for example, you might start to notice a bit of swelling and itchiness as your immune system springs into action.
Some conditions cause the immune system to set off this inflammatory response even when there are no foreign organisms to protect against. This causes the immune cells to attack the normal, healthy cells in the body, resulting in tissue damage and pain.
Certain types of pro-inflammatory proteins also work by directly activating nerve cells, which can both initiate and intensify pain.
Some conditions commonly associated with inflammation and pain include:
- Headaches/migraines
So how does food play into all of this? About 70 percent of your immune cells are found right in your digestive tract. Not only that, but your diet can have a powerful effect when it comes to mediating the inflammatory response. Certain foods have been shown to ease inflammation while others can set off symptoms and make inflammation worse.
Strengthening your immune system by taking control of your diet can be an easy and effective way to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
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Search For Rheumatologists Near You And Schedule Your Next Appointment Today
Dietary choices are always important to overall health, but if you have arthritis, the foods you choose can have a surprising impact on your joint health. You may find some arthritis trigger foods cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, while others actually alleviate your symptoms.
There are several common trigger foods to avoid if you have arthritis. For happier, healthier joints, try these simple food swaps.
Citrus Fruits Cause Inflammation

Some people believe that they should avoid citrus fruits because the acidity is inflammatory. However, this is not the case. In fact, citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Grapefruit juice can, however, interact with some medicines that doctors use to treat arthritis. People who are undergoing treatment should check with a doctor before incorporating it into their diet.
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Articles On Best Foods For Ra
People with rheumatoid arthritis know all too well the inflammation and pain that come with the disease. Although there’s no “RA diet” that treats the condition, some foods can lower inflammation in your body. And because they’re good for you, these foods — including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fish — may help you feel better overall.
A Variety Of Healthful Pantry Staples Fit Within An Arthritis
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
If you are what you eat, then it goes without saying that diet can affect your healthfor worse or for better. For decades, researchers have looked at diet in relation to health and well being. In particular, they have studied whether foods can impact arthritis treatment. Scientists have thought that dietary factors might trigger certain types of arthritis. Because of this, changing the foods you eat could have a strong impact on arthritis symptom relief.
A diet rich in plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans, as well as fish, is not only great for overall health but can also help manage arthritis symptoms. Things as simple as cherries and almonds or tuna and broccoli can be helpful.
Foods can have powerful impacts on health. Potential benefits of healthful eating include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects, strengthening bones, and boosting the immune system.
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What Foods Can Help Prevent Arthritis Attacks
Some foods, such as those rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, can reduce inflammation and alleviate arthritis symptoms:
- Fruits: Cherries, blackberries, and blueberries are rich in antioxidants.
- Veggies: Cauliflower, mushrooms, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli contain tons of nutrients that can help fight inflammation.
- Whole grains:Fiber-rich, unprocessed foods such as brown rice, quinoa and oatmeal help lower inflammation as well.
- Beans: Beans are high in both fiber and antioxidants, which make them anti-inflammatory.
- Nuts: Nuts have omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, in addition to monounsaturated fats, which all help to prevent inflammation.
- Fish: Consuming salmon, tuna, and sardines can help fight inflammation because they contain omega-3 fatty acids and various antioxidants.
The 8 Best Healthy Snacks For Arthritis
Who doesnt love a good snack? Weve all felt the guilt that comes from reaching into the lazy Susan and grabbing a cookie or candy bar. But snacking doesnt have to be synonymous with bad for you. In fact, many of the best snacks for arthritis are actually quite healthy without sacrificing any of the delicious appeal. Lets take a look at eight healthy snacks that will help you fight inflammation and get back to the activities you enjoyed before arthritis came into your life.
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Do Any Foods Make Arthritis Worse
Some people feel that certain foods are bad for arthritis and that cutting them out helps with their symptoms. Some of the foods people worry about include:
- citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit
- vegetables from the nightshade family including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, chillies and aubergines
- gluten, a protein found in pasta, bread and cereals.
Theres no evidence that diets where certain foods are cut out, also known as exclusion or elimination diets, are helpful for people with osteoarthritis. They have been shown to sometimes help people with rheumatoid arthritis, though the food that may cause symptoms is likely to be different for each person.
This could be for a number of reasons, including the person being allergic or intolerant to the food they cut out, rather than being directly related to the arthritis. If healthy foods are not affecting your symptoms, you dont need to cut them out of your diet.
If you want to try cutting certain foods out of your diet to see if it improves your symptoms, the important thing to remember is to speak to a doctor or dietitian first. Theyll be able to support you and make sure youre trying out the change to your diet safely. Some foods are present in things we dont realise, so they can also help make sure you really are cutting out everything you plan to.
In The Kitchen With Arthritis: Foods To Avoid
The goal of an anti-inflammatory diet for arthritis is to reduce inflammation and the joint degeneration and pain it causes.What Are Anti-Inflammatory Foods?
You can influence inflammation by eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy greens and colorful vegetables, and avoiding these 7 inflammatory foods:
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Foods For A Healthier Gut And Less Arthritis Pain
Research suggests that arthritis inflammation and pain are connected to problems in the gut microbiome. People can cultivate healthier gut microbiomes through their diets by:
- Eating a healthy, whole foods diet. A healthy gut depends on eating whole foods, including lots of vegetablesespecially leafy greensas well as fruits and whole grains. Healthy whole foods help beneficial bacteria thrive and starve out bad bacteria. Probiotics and prebiotics may help, too, especially when antibiotics are taken.1,2
- Avoiding foods that trigger inflammation. Foods typical of the Western diet, such as processed or sugary foods, trigger inflammation. Even seemingly healthy foods, such as eggs and milk, can trigger inflammation in some people.
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Category: Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet
About RA Pain Management
The purpose of RA Pain Management is to provide rheumatoid arthritis sufferers a resource for natural pain management tips, treatments, products, resources, and links that are helping those living with the disease to live their lives more enjoyably.
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Saturated And Trans Fats
Some studies suggest a possible link between chronic inflammation and saturated fats found in red meats, full-fat dairy foods, butter and poultry skin. Similar suggestions have been made for trans fats, found in hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, some margarine brands, French fries and other fried foods.
Monounsaturated fats, namely olive oil, seem less likely to increase inflammation. So far there are no clinical trials that prove this type of heart-healthy diet is good for arthritis.
Symptoms Of Chronic Inflammation
Not sure if youve got inflammation? Symptoms can present differently from person to person. Some common symptoms include the following:
- abdominal belly fat
- elevated blood sugar
- skin disruptions and inflammatory conditions
- digestive issues
- gluten sensitivity or undiagnosed Celiac disease
- joint pain
- excessive mucus production
- puffiness in the face and under the eyes
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Advanced Glycation End Products
When you grill or fry your food or consume foods that have been cooked at high temperatures, including pasteurized foods, your body produces toxins called AGEs. These toxins can damage proteins in your body, which triggers your immune system to destroy the AGEs with cytokines. Cytokines cause inflammation.
Is There An Ra Diet
No. But research shows that the Mediterranean diet‘s tasty fare — like olive oil, fish, greens, and other vegetables — can lower inflammation, which is good for your whole body.
In one study of women with RA, those who took a cooking class on Mediterranean-style foods and ate that way for 2 months had less joint pain and morning stiffness and better overall health than those who didnât take the class.
Aim to eat a healthy diet with:
- Lots of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. They should make up two-thirds of your plate.
- Low-fat dairy and lean proteins, which should make up one-third
- Small amounts of saturated and trans fats
- Limited alcohol
Although no food plans are proven to help with RA, you may read about some that claim to do so or about people with RA who say a diet worked for them.
Before you try one, itâs a good idea to discuss it with your doctor, especially if it calls for large doses of supplements or cuts out entire food groups.
Instead of getting fixated on fasting or finding the perfect foods, be sensible about eating. Don’t make huge changes to your diet. Don’t skip meals. Eat three healthy meals and a couple of small snacks a day, says M. Elaine Husni, MD, director of the Cleveland Clinicâs Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Treatment Center.
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About Meera Oza Md Facr
Dr. Meera Oza has been practicing rheumatology since 1985 in Orange Park and has served the greater Jacksonville area for more than 35 years. She completed her medical school at Lady Harding Medical College in India and finished her internal medicine and Rheumatology training at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. She is a fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
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Foods That Make Rheumatoid Arthritis Worse
Updated on: // by RA Pain Management
Do you want to learn more about the foods that make rheumatoid arthritis worse? And why they trigger flare-ups?
While there is no cure for this auto-immune disease, we can certainly help ourselves by knowing how to manage rheumatoid arthritis pain apart from taking medication.
We can avoid making our rheumatoid arthritis worse by doing things like exercise, acupuncture, hot and cold therapy, and eating the right foods.
If you are living with RA, it is important that you know what foods can trigger flare-ups that cause inflammation and joint pain, so that you can avoid them.
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Foods To Avoid If You Have Chronic Joint Pain
Many people in the Houston, Texas, area suffer from joint pain. They may feel as though there is nothing more they can do to cure their pain. However, a pain-free life is sometimes as simple as adjusting your diet. NASA Bone & Joint Specialists understands that it can be overwhelming to figure out a diet that is joint-friendly, so weve listed out some of the top foods to avoid if youre suffering from joint pain:
01. Eggs
Consuming eggs regularly can lead to an increased amount of swelling and joint pain. The yolks contain arachidonic acid, which helps trigger inflammation in the body. Eggs also contain saturated fat which can also induce joint pain. If you cant give up eggs completely, pass on the yolks and simply use the egg whites instead.
02. Dairy
Dairy contains a high level of protein casein. This type of protein triggers inflammation and pain in the joints, and may even contribute to irritation around the joints. Some dairy products, such as butter, contain a high amount of saturated fat. This can also contribute to inflammation and joint pain. Soy milk and almond milk are some good substitutions for dairy products.
03. Processed Meats
Processed meats contain nitrites and purines. These chemicals increase inflammation and lead to joint pain. Meats such as hot dogs, corned beef, bacon, and sausages are all processed and should be avoided. Reach for lean, fresh cuts of meat instead.
04. Sugar
05. Fried Foods
06. Refined Grains
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Are There Any Foods That Help With Arthritis

Theres no specific food that will help with arthritis. But some people feel that certain foods help reduce their symptoms.
Making changes to your diet might help you, but this shouldnt be done instead of treatments youve been given, and its a good idea to speak to the person treating you before making any big changes.
Many foods have been said to help with arthritis or have anti-inflammatory effects. However, theres no evidence that things like apple cider vinegar and manuka honey can improve symptoms, and they can be expensive. Some people say they have helped, so theres no harm in trying them, but you should keep an open mind about whether theyre helping you or not.
Its important to have a healthy, balanced diet when you have arthritis, but there are some foods, vitamins and nutrients you may need to make sure you get enough of, to reduce the chances of other health problems, which are covered in the following section.
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What About The Mediterranean Diet
Studies have suggested that the Mediterranean diet can reduce the inflammation that contributes to the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
As well as helping to reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis, eating a Mediterranean-style diet offers many other health benefits, including weight loss.
Following a Mediterranean diet may also reduce the risk of:
When someone is living with osteoarthritis, their body is in an inflammatory state.
While foods with anti-inflammatory properties may reduce symptoms, some foods contain substances that actively contribute to this inflammation. It is best to avoid or restrict these dietary choices.
The types of food to avoid are those that include the following:
The Scoop On Supplements
Supplements abound when it comes to arthritis. But only glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have some evidence to support their use. Glucosamine with chondroitin may decrease pain in people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee.
Note that osteoarthritis is the only type of arthritis that may benefit from these supplements. They do not help people with rheumatoid arthritis.
In general, glucosamine and chondroitin have minimal side effects. Steer clear of glucosamine if you are allergic to shellfish, or consider only glucosamine derived from a vegetable source. Glucosamine may raise blood sugar. Chondroitin can interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin and aspirin that can increase the risk of bleeding.
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