Joint pain interferes with your movement causing you discomfort, soreness, and inflammation in your joints. Nowadays, many people experience joint pain, irrespectively of their gender or age. It can range from mild or severe, from acute to chronic pain.
Two main reasons for joint pain are gout and arthritis. Also, it is a result of dislocated or broken bones, muscle strains, lupus, MD Anderson, fibromyalgia, or bursitis.
However, joint pain can be improved by proper medication, diet, alternative medicine, and exercise. Although there are many foods that fight joint pain like garlic, turmeric, or ginger, there are many others that trigger the pain.
If you experience joint pain, you should avoid the following these 10 foods:
1. Processed and Red Meat
Both of them have chemicals including purines and nitrites which significantly increase the pain and inflammation in the body.
Processed foods are loaded with toxins so-called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), that increase the inflammation in the body. According to a study from 2014, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, red-meat glycan increases the development of inflammation and the progression of cancer.
Yet another study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has drawn a parallel between the consumption of red meat and the markers of inflammation. It suggests that you should replace the consumption of processed and red meat with more fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Artificial and refined Sugars
A high amount of sugar can increase the level of AGEs in the body thus causing inflammation. It’s sugar that triggers the release of cytokines and strong inflammatory agents. In addition, sugar makes you gain weight and thus puts more pressure on your joints. Nor are sugar-sweetened soft drinks good for your health.
According to a study in 2014, from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, regular consumption of this type of drink increases rheumatoid arthritis in women, affecting many lifestyles and dietary factors.
So, avoid drinking soft or fruit drinks, presweetened cereals, punches, snacks, candies, and pastries. As an alternative, use blackstrap molasses, honey, or stevia as natural sweeteners rather than artificial sweeteners or refined sugar.
3. Dairy Product
Dairy products can intensify joint pain because the high level of protein casein triggers pain and inflammation. A report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine states that this protein can even irritate the tissue around the joints.
The pain can also be increased as a result of saturated fats in dairy products such as cheese, butter, or milk. If you suffer from joint pain or any other chronic pain avoid consuming pasteurized milk and replace it with almond or soy milk, margarine, tofu, or other products.
4. Corn Oil
Corn oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids that may cause the body to produce inflammatory chemicals. According to a study from the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, the increased omega-6 fatty acid triggers inflammatory processes and diseases.
Some foods such as peanut, sunflower, soy, grapeseed, and safflower oil, or any other salad dressing are high in omega-6 fatty acids.
You should not eliminate these omega-6 fatty acids from your diet because they are needed for proper development and growth. You should consume it in moderate doses. For that reason, increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids which can be found in flaxseeds, olive oil, pumpkin seeds, and nuts.
5. Refined Flour and Grains
They are potent inflammatory agents that can increase pain in the joints. The high-glycemic properties of these foods trigger the production of AGEs thus stimulating inflammation. According to a study published in Nutrients, daily consumption of wheat products and other cereal grains trigger the manifestation of autoimmune diseases and chronic manifestation.
These grains lack vitamin B and fiber and possess empty calories. Everyday consumption of these grains increases the risk of degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Replace these grain foods like pasta, white rice, and white bread with coconut, almond, or whole-grain flour and brown rice.
6. Eggs
Regular consumption of eggs can trigger increased swelling and pain in the joints. It’s the yolks that trigger inflammation in the body because they contain arachidonic acid that produces prostaglandins, inflammatory agents.
They also contain saturated fat, another inflammation agent. When choosing eggs for breakfast, remove the yolks and eat just the egg whites.
7. Whey Protein
It’s the gluten and casein in whey protein that can trigger inflammation and pain in the joints.
Casein is a protein that produces uric acid in the body. A greater amount of uric acid can trigger inflammation and pain in the body, especially in the joints. This type of joint pain or so-called gout can be severe and can cause severe damage to the joints.
People sensitive to gluten can suffer from chronic inflammation with widespread pain. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry in 2013, gluten-free food can reduce inflammation, insulin resistance, and adiposity.
Always choose healthy sources of lean protein such as seeds, beans, and nuts rather than whey protein supplements.
8. Refined Salt
This type also called table salt is not recommended if you suffer from joint pain. It contains chemicals and additives that can infringe on the balance of body fluids.
Also, it doesn’t contain natural minerals including phosphorus and silicon that your body needs for proper functioning.
If you limit the intake of refined salt you will reduce calcium loss from your bones as well as the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
Reduce this salt to a minimum and switch to pink Himalayan salt or sea salt. Bear in mind that processed food also contains an excessive quantity of salt and preservatives for prolonged shelf life.
9. Foods with Monosodium Glutamate
MSG is a food additive for flavor enhancement found in packaged foods such as frozen snacks, potato chips, frozen dinners, frozen Chinese food, soups, and store-bought salad dressings.
It can also cause pain and inflammation in the body, especially in the joints. This artificial type of additive is especially harmful to those who suffer from inflammations including rheumatoid arthritis.
Practice eating fresh food, prepared at home because most of frozen and packaged foods contain artificial additives such as MSG.
Along with MSG, avoid foods that contain aspartame, an artificial sweetener that can cause an inflammatory response.
10. Beer
Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages can leave consequences on your joints. Heavy beer drinkers have a higher risk of developing gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
It’s purine that is converted into uric acid, the major reason for inflammation. Beer is also made with gluten, so people with joint pain should avoid it. In addition to gluten, beer contains other toxins that can cause harm to your body.
So, limit your consumption of beer and alcohol.
Via Top 10 Home Remedies | CAO | Nasa Bone | Nasa Bone | Eat This Not That | NCBI | Music Source: Medical News Today