Arthritis diet: What to eat and what not to eat

Many fruits are rich in Vitamin C, which means they are also full of antioxidants. According to a study from the University of South Florida, people who take vitamin C supplements are less likely to develop knee osteoarthritis than those who didn’t take the supplements. You don’t necessarily have to take supplements in order to get enough Vitamin C, you can eat fruits such as strawberries sand citrus fruits.

Most nuts are rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and l-arginine. These nutrients can help lower the levels of inflammation-causing molecules. They are also a great source of polyunsaturated fats that can lower cholesterol.  If you are looking for a healthy snack, nuts, and seeds are the best option.

Whole grains are an essential part of a healthy diet. Fiber aids digestion by avoiding problems like constipation. It also helps eliminate toxins from your body. Whole grains are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as selenium, which helps treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Milk can be part of an arthritis patients’ diet; however, if the patient is lactose intolerant, he has to avoid it. The good news is, you can substitute cow’s milk with soy milk and there many soy derivates such as tofu, soy yogurt and soy meat, that can be part of your diet.

Protein intake is essential for arthritis, because without it, it would not be possible to recover from the damaged tissues. You should always eat foods rich in protein; among the various options, you can eat fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids (sardines, mackerel, tuna, herring, etc.)

Doctors recommend drinking three cups of either green tea or white tea each day, as they both contain phytochemicals and antioxidant properties. Green tea contains flavonoids, which are substances with anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat arthritis.

Fiber helps strengthen the immune system, and it can help lower markers of inflammation. If you want to eat a high-fiber diet, you can include fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. These high fiber fruits have the “good” kind of bacteria which release substances that promote lower levels of inflammation.

Beans are a great source of protein and fiber. Legumes, like peas, chickpeas, lentils, beans, and soybeans, are rich in protein, essential fatty acids, magnesium and other minerals. You should eat beans at least once every week.

Dairy products are one of the worst foods for arthritis patients. This is due to casein, a protein found in products like milk, yogurt, and cream that can cause inflammation and joint pain. You can substitute the proteins in dairy products with foods such as vegetables, spinach, beans, lentils, quinoa or tofu.

Arthritis patients should avoid foods that contain corn such as corn meal, corn flour or corn chips because they can trigger inflammation. They can contribute to increasing pain in the joints because of the heat and swelling.

If you suffer from arthritis you should avoid eating red meat. Red meat is rich in iron, the mineral which causes tissue damage; this is why a meat-rich diet can worsen your symptoms. Instead, you can eat foods like salmon, tuna, and trout which are rich in omega-3.

Wheat and rye are cereals that contain gluten, a type of protein that causes gastrointestinal inflammation in people intolerant to it. Gluten can also be potentially dangerous because it causes inflammation in the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis and it may worsen the symptoms.

Even though eggs are a good source of protein, if you suffer from arthritis, doctors recommend avoiding them in your diet. Eggs contain arachidonic acid in the yolk, which the body converts into inflammatory compounds. That's why by eating eggs may cause swelling and pain. To avoid this, you should only eat the egg white.

Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system, but some medical studies have shown that citrus fruits can worsen arthritic inflammation in some patients. However, it is recommended to consume vitamin C in moderation. If you want to add more vitamin C to your diet, you can eat foods like strawberries, guavas, kiwis, papayas and broccoli.

Potatoes are rich in potassium, but they also contain a small amount of a toxin called solanine. Some doctors believe that solanine can aggravate arthritis because it causes inflammation in muscles and joints.

Tomatoes, like eggplant and peppers, belong to the Solanaceae family and its consumption can affect people with arthritis. According to some medical studies, it contains a toxic alkaloid called solanine, which is a compound that can aggravate inflammation, especially in people who already have the disease.

If you enjoy a few cups of coffee every day, you should know that this beverage could worsen your arthritis symptoms. Caffeine has the ability to accelerate the harshness of osteoarthritis and it may cause the inflamed joints to swell even more. A cup of hot, decaffeinated tea could be an excellent substitute.

These foods contain additives that can worsen the arthritis symptoms. When you go to the supermarket make sure to check the label on packaged food to see if it contains additives. The best option is purchasing unprocessed, healthy, whole foods.