Pain is often a symptom of inflammation, which is how your body reacts to injury. Joint pain and inflammation affects 116 million American adults. Inflammation may also be associated with fever chills, headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue, low energy and muscle stiffness. That’s more than a third of the US population. Fortunately, it can be attacked head-on and at the cellular level with inflammation-reducing foods.
10 Foods to Reduce Joint Pain and Inflammation Naturally
Pineapple
Aside from being a great source of Vitamin C, it is also rich in the protein-digesting enzyme bromelain, making Pineapple a natural anti-inflammatory agent that is quite helpful in reducing swelling, bruising and pain in joint.
Nuts
Another source of inflammation-fighting healthy fats is nuts—particularly almonds, which are rich in fiber, calcium, and vitamin E, and walnuts, which have high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fat. All nuts, though, are packed with antioxidants, which can help your body fight off and repair the damage caused by inflammation.
Beets
This vegetable’s brilliant red color is a tip-off to its equally brilliant antioxidant properties: Beets (and beetroot juice) have been shown to reduce inflammation, as well as protect against cancer and heart disease, thanks to their hearty helping of fiber, vitamin C and plant pigments called betalains.
Ginger
Studies have linked the root to lowered post-exercise inflammation and a drop in joint pain caused by the chronic inflammatory conditions osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Onions
Onions not only provide a sweet taste to your savory meals, but also they have lots of quercetin, a potent antioxidant that can help your body fight inflammation.
Turmeric
Turmeric is very effective in reducing inflammation of all kinds in your body. It also helps to relieve pain. It contains several chemicals that decrease inflammation in your body. This anti-inflammatory effect is one of the reasons that that turmeric is recommended to people with cancer, cataracts and also Alzheimer’s Disease.
Celery
Celery have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities that help improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as prevent heart disease.
Broccoli
For an anti-inflammatory diet, it’s invaluable. Broccoli is high in both potassium and magnesium, and its antioxidants are particularly potent anti-inflammatory substances in their own right.
Tart Cherries
Tart cherries can reduce inflammation ten times better than aspirin! Once your inner ecosystem is well underway you are in stage 2 of Body Ecology. Tart cherries help reduce your risk for heart disease. They are certainly more delicious than the popular over-the-counter pill you are likely familiar with.
Spinach
Spinach is loaded with Vitamin E, anti-inflammatory compounds, omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid and it’s also high in B-Vitamins. Spinach also has anti-inflammatory properties of which one study showed it to reduce asthmatic inflammation.
Sources include:
–http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12455/9-ways-to-reduce-pain-and-inflammation.html
–https://www.womentowomen.com/inflammation/reducing-inflammation-the-natural-approach-2/
–http://www.care2.com/greenliving/14-foods-that-fight-inflammation-and-pain.html
