7 Best Foods for Arthritis Pain Relief

 Introduction

It can affect any joint in the body, but most often affects the joints of the hands and feet. Arthritis affects nearly 50 million people in the United States alone, which is why it's important to find ways to manage your symptoms—especially if they're interfering with your daily activities. Here are seven foods that have been shown to help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation:

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are some of the best foods to eat for arthritis because they contain a powerful compound called sulforaphane that helps prevent and treat inflammation. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. These greens are also loaded with vitamins C and K2 which help fight free radicals in the body that can damage healthy cells. Sulforaphane is what gives these foods their spicy aroma when you cook them. The more sulforaphane you eat the better results you’re likely to see in your body’s ability to deal with inflammation in joints or other areas of pain. Icy cold foods Another way to help your body fight inflammation is to consume ice cold foods. According to experts, the cold temperature of these foods can help relieve pain, decrease stiffness and swelling. In addition, it will also improve circulation by increasing blood flow throughout the body. Here are some examples of great ice cold foods for arthritis sufferers: Ice cream (especially if it's full fat) Frozen yogurt Sherbet (popsicles) Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for health and play a role in reducing inflammation. They can be found in fish and shellfish, such as salmon and sardines, as well as certain nuts and seeds. Research has shown that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce pain and joint stiffness associated with arthritis. Tart Cherries Can you hear the tart cherries calling your name? If so, let's take a closer look at these delicious fruits and see what they have to offer. Tart cherries are a good source of anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that boost your immune system and help fight inflammation. Anthocyanins are also excellent at preventing sun damage to your skin by neutralizing free radicals. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that eating tart cherries can reduce pain associated with arthritis by as much as 64 percent! They're also rich in vitamin C—a nutrient that helps build strong bones and cartilage and prevents bone loss (which is why it's so important for senior citizens). You'll find an abundance of melatonin in tart cherries, too; this hormone helps regulate sleep cycles so your body can get restorative shuteye night after night. If those weren't enough reasons to love these little red gems, it turns out they're also good for your heart health. Berries Berries are rich in antioxidants, which can help prevent inflammation. Berries are also rich in vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system and fight off pain and stiffness. Berries are rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to joint damage and arthritis pain. Berries are also packed with vitamins K and anthocyanins, two nutrients that provide extra support for healthy bones and joints while reducing inflammation caused by arthritis. And they contain ellagic acid — a chemical compound found in many fruits and vegetables that has been shown to reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) by blocking enzymes that break down cartilage tissue. Extra virgin olive oil Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which fight free radicals that can damage your cells and lead to chronic illness. It also contains oleocanthal and oleuropein, two compounds that have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. In another study from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) led by Dr. Saverio Stranges, participants were asked to consume 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil daily for 4 weeks before undergoing surgery on their knees due to arthritis or injury. After surgery, they continued consuming the same amount of olive oil daily for 6 months post-surgery. The results? Those who consumed the extra virgin olive oil experienced significantly less pain as compared with those who did not consume extra virgin olive oil pre-surgery (44% vs 67%, respectively). Ginger and Turmeric Ginger and Turmeric are both anti-inflammatory spices. Ginger is natural pain reliever, while turmeric also helps reduce inflammation of the joints. You can use ginger in many ways: In curry dishes In smoothies Tea These foods can help with arthritis pain. Here are some foods that may help ease your pain: Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts contain several nutrients that can help with arthritis pain, including anti-inflammatory compounds called glucosinolates. The best way to get these benefits is by eating them raw or lightly steamed; boiling cruciferous veggies for long periods of time can destroy their nutrients. Icy cold foods like ice cream and frozen yogurt can give you cooling sensation, which is helpful for easing sore joints. If you love baking, try making an ice cream cake using your favorite ice cream flavor as a base—the coldness of the frosting will create further relief. We recommend mixing in crushed up ginger cookies into the icing to add more flavor! Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also good options because they decrease inflammation and joint stiffness while improving mobility (and they taste great on fish tacos). Some examples include salmon and flaxseed oil; if neither sounds appealing try adding more almonds or walnuts into your diet instead! Tart cherries contain anthocyanins which increase antioxidant activity that neutralize free radicals that cause damage within cells including those found within tissues such as cartilage tissue found throughout our bodies including our joints leading people who regularly consume tart cherries experience less pain when compared against those who don't eat them frequently enough daily basis..