6 foods that arthritis patients should try to dodge

For those who are on the hunt for an arthritis diet that will help them magically cure arthritis, their attempt is undoubtedly going to be in vain. There is no diet that will cure the condition and make the inflammation and pain go away.

However, there are some food items that worsen inflammation and pain for people who are suffering from arthritis. If one can identify these food items, then they can easily avoid them in their regular diet and succeed in managing their arthritis symptoms better.

Read on to find out about five such foods that arthritis patients should avoid.

Fried and Processed food
If one cuts down the amount of fried and processed food items they consume, they will be able to manage the inflammation caused by arthritis better. Not just that, but by avoiding these food items, one will also strengthen their body’s immune system, which in turn will help in combating the disorder. Another reason why arthritis patients should avoid eating fried food items is that it can increase their risk of becoming obese as these food items are high in fat.
Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates
When the body’s blood sugar level shoots up, it starts producing excess cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory chemicals that worsen the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. So, it is recommended to limit one’s sugar and refined carbohydrate intake by avoiding food items like sugary drinks, sodas, candies, white-flour pasta, bread, and rice. Excessive consumption of sugar and refined carbs also increase the risk of putting on extra pounds, which may further damage one’s joints.
Dairy products
Dairy products contain a type of protein that may cause irritation to the tissues around the joints of arthritis patients. So, the best thing to do is to limit the dairy intake and instead try to consume protein from vegetable sources like soy, beans, spinach, and tofu.
Corn Oil
Today, many snacks and baked items are made using corn oil, which is high in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acid is bad for arthritis patients as it acts as a trigger for joint inflammation. So, the best solution is to substitute corn oil with olive oil as olive oil is rich in omega-3, which is great for joint pain relief.
Alcohol
Though the effect of alcohol on rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, studies have found that a high intake of alcohol increases the risk of developing gout. Alcohol is believed to shoot up the body’s levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is said to aggravate inflammation in arthritis patients. So, cut back on the alcohol intake and indulge in eating healthy food like broccoli, beans, cherries, and food items that are rich in omega-3.

The truth is that what may work for one person might be a trigger for another individual who is suffering from arthritis. Arthritis patients should use the trial and error method to identify the food triggers that worsen their symptoms. An arthritis diet can be planned once an individual’s food triggers have been identified.
One can ask for advice from a rheumatologist or a dietitian if they are still not sure about how to plan an arthritis diet.

Tags: arthritis diet and food