Diet & Nutrition 6 MIN READ 1487 VIEWS March 1, 2023

Best and Worst Foods for Joints: What’s in Your Diet?

Written By HealthKart
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Aarti Nehra

Foods for Joints

Whether positive or negative, our everyday lifestyle decisions lead to future health results. Food may be the most important aspect of our lifestyle that impacts our well-being. So, eating the right foods for joints might be a simple start to nourishment.

These foods for joints help in maintaining strength and reducing joint pains. It reduces inflammation, strengthens connective tissues, and increases bone density for daily flexible and painless bone movements.

If joint health gets ignored for a long time, it may result in Arthritis. It causes cramps, swellings, weakness, and stiffness in joints which would affect your daily activities in the long run.

But there are good and bad diet choices for joints that need an inspection before intake.

Remedial Foods for Joints You Must Add to Your Diet

Listed below are some of the best foods you can take for your joints:

1. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are densely nutritious and packed with Omega-3 fatty acid that helps in preventing inflammatory joint pains. Daily small portions of walnut, almonds, flax seeds, pine nuts, chia seeds, or cashew nuts can work wonders for connective tissues and joints.

2. Fish and Fish Oils

All fatty fish contain Omega-3s and vitamin D increases bone density and reduces joint stiffness. It is a necessary addition to daily food for joint pain.

3. Garlic

It is shown that garlic and other root vegetables are simple solutions for arthritis and joint pains as they contain anti-inflammatory properties to strengthen joints from the inside. Garlic supplements are also available for more effectiveness.

4. Ginger

Even though there is very little research proving ginger is a remedial food for joint health, it still manages to attack inflammatory diseases.

5. Fruits

Antioxidants work well for any inflammation that reduces joint pains, which are found in most fruits. Berries are more effective in terms of their anti-inflammatory factors – so, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries can be the perfect fit in your daily diet. Pineapple and grapes are also essential as they contain bromelain, which helps in relieving severe joint pains.

6. Cruciferous Vegetables

It is well-known that cruciferous veggies get filled with vitamins and minerals but they can also cure inflammatory pains. These veggies contain a compound called glucosinolates which deflate inflammatory producers. So, vegetables like sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach can be considered to be the most necessary food for joint health.

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil contains Omega-3 properties and healthy unsaturated fats that help a lot in relieving joint pains and arthritis. It is also a healthy substitute for other oils.

8. Whole Grains

Barley, whole wheat, whole oats, quinoa, and millet can be an enriching and nourishing cure for arthritis as whole grains contain nutritious elements that fight inflammatory responses while refined grains can increase the chances of joint stiffness and pains.

9. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolates can be an enjoyable and delicious food for joint pain that reduces inflammation. Due to the high levels of antioxidants present in cocoa, it can counteract inflammatory actions. But it should be moderate as most chocolates contain high sugar levels, which are bad for health.

10. Lentils and Beans

Anthocyanins available in chickpeas, black beans, soybeans, pinto beans, and lentils can provide a great source of help in fighting inflammation. They also produce various health benefits that are necessary for the body.

11. Bone Broth

Bone broth contains essentials like glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, and amino acids which increase bone density. It also provides a collagen-like substance that helps keep bones healthy. It also increases painless regular movements for people facing difficulty.

Foods to Avoid in Joint Pain

Even though arthritis and joint pain are the most common, dietary interventions can somewhat reduce these painful symptoms. Eliminating food that triggers arthritis and focusing primarily on the regaining sturdiness of joints will also provide overall positive health. Some harmful foods to avoid for arthritis are:

1. Red Meat

Red meat contains a high concentration of saturated fats that can lead to high inflammation response. It can worsen the pain and swelling of joints and arthritis.

2. Sugary Items

According to one of the studies, a small amount of sugar can also cause inflammation. So, it is better to stay away from sugary items. Products that have added sugars like candies, soda, and ice cream are some of the most harmful food items that should be avoided.

3. High-Fat Dairy

Generally, avoiding full-fat dairy products is better for arthritis and joint pains, as it is proven that high-fat dairy produces higher inflammation. Plain yoghurt is the only exception, as it consists of prebiotic elements.

4. Highly Processed Food

Highly processed food includes many preservatives, refined products, and added sugar that can affect arthritis negatively. It contributes more to inflammation and bone weakness which restricts joint movements.

5. Omega-6 Fats

Foods like meat, poultry, corn, and common cooking oils contain an omega-6 fatty acid that develops adverse effects on inflammation.

6. High Salty Food

Higher concentrations of sodium can cause many troubling health issues. According to research, higher salt leads to higher inflammation and results in a risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

7. Alcohol

Alcohol can produce severe inflammatory arthritis that can affect the spinal cord and sacroiliac joints. It can damage spinal movements and increase the chances of a gout attack. Yet red wine is considered an anti-inflammatory ingredient as it contains antioxidants that may help you with arthritis pain.

Joint Pain Causes

Most people have faced joint pains after physical labour or injuries, as the pressure on joints leads to many health conditions. It’s necessary to figure out the cause of these pains before it becomes more bothersome.

  • Osteoarthritis: It’s the wear and tear arthritis that’s caused over time. As cartilage, the lining of joints wears out, which becomes painful and stiff. The most commonly affected areas are hips, knees, and hands in the middle ages.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: It is chronic arthritis that increases joint pain and swelling. It mostly affects wrists, toes, and fingers by making them deformed and brittle. This disease gets usually seen in women in their 20s and 30s.
  • Gouts: It is a common type of arthritis, produced when uric acid builds up in the blood. It then leaks into the joints and forms crystals which can contribute to swelling, redness, and pain.
  • Injuries: Tender, ligament, and meniscus injuries result in painful tears in joints. These joint pain causes may develop severe life-long damage.
  • Frozen shoulder: Pain and stiffness around the shoulder can be a sign of frozen shoulders, also known as adhesive capsulitis. It induces inflammatory pains that might restrict shoulder movement.

Joint Pain Symptoms

Joint pain symptoms may range from mild sensations to disabling pain as the joints fictitiously rub against each other due to the lack of proper cartilage. This may result in a few joint pain symptoms like:

  •  Swelling
  • Joints Stiffening
  • Numbness or tender joints
  • Redness around joints
  • Grinding of joints while moving
  • Continuous severe joint pains
  • Deformation joint

See a medical expert if you are facing:

  • Fever without any sign of flu
  • Sudden and unexplained weight loss
  • Complete immobility

Treatment may also vary according to symptoms and form of arthritis but the main idea is to be able t do daily activities without much painful discomfort.

Simple Cures for Joint Pain

Joint pain is caused due to many reasons like age, injuries, obesity, or family history without a definite cure. But there are few effective ways to relieve the pain and increase mobility for a quality life.

  • Exercise
  • Regular exercise can result in strengthening joints and bones; flexible movements like walking, running, swimming, and sports are the most productive solutions
  • Heating pads or icing
  • It is the easiest home remedy that works well for mild joint inflammation
  • Weight loss
  • Obesity can cause joint pain, so it is better to work out and lessen strains on joints
  • Over-the-counter medicines
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful, but better to be cautious before using any medicines
  • Ointment and balms

Conclusion

Healthy joints are easy to maintain if you follow the daily diet that contains essential foods for joints with some basic exercise. Because if you eat healthy food, the bones and joints enjoy longer benefits. Older people are more prone to joint pain and arthritis as they have worn-out muscles, bones, and joints. There are many health supplements in the market that keep the joints happy by maintaining elasticity.

Even though joint pain is commonly found, it might turn dangerous without proper attention or remedies. This inflammation can interfere with your routine and make things harder. If ignored for a long period, these types of pain might require surgical treatment.

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