For people who have joint issues like arthritis, it can be one of the most debilitating diseases. It’s a pain, in the most literal sense, to have issues with your joints. It plagues many people around the world too.
Almost one in four adults has a pain problem in their joints. That equates to 15 million adult Americans having problems with their joints.
While there is zero food cure for joint pains, there are foods for joint health that can help. These can reduce inflammation, improve immunity, and even strengthen your skeletal system.
Take a look at these 10 foods that you can use to improve the health of your joints.
1. Cherry Juice
Cherry juice for arthritis is one of the most popular drinks around for joint pains. The drink, coming from the Prunus Cerasus tree or the sour cherry. This cherry juice is potent, offering one of the widest tested benefits for arthritis.
During research tests, tart cherry juice for arthritis decreased symptoms of osteoarthritis. More studies show cherry juice cut levels of inflammatory markers in female osteoarthritis.
When taking tart cherry juice, remember a few details. First, make sure that you take the unsweetened variety to prevent diabetes. It’s best to take one serving of cherry juice every day and it should be enough.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most staple foods in the world. You can find it in most curries and it’s a staple in most Indian foods. The spice is rich in curcumin, which is as great as Ibuprofen when easing knee pains.
Several studies show that the properties of curcumin have strong anti-inflammatory effects. It can also improve the immune system, together with long-term pain improvement. All this relies on some crucial chemicals like COX-2 that block inflammatory enzymes.
When taking turmeric, it’s best to take it as foods for joint health rather than herbal medication. High doses of turmeric can thin the blood and cause stomach issues. For people who should not have thin blood or are taking Warfarin, it’s best to avoid at all costs.
3. Fish Oils
Fish oils are one of the most beneficial foods for people who experience joint pains. These attribute specific to omega-3 fatty acids that are present in the foods. These oils include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
EPA and DHA have research that shows they can enhance the body’s immunity. Their properties can cut down on inflammation and pain. Some studies even show that DHA can be more effective against inflammation but EPA has its own role.
Fish oils are available in cold-water fish like wild salmon, tuna, and trout. Vegetable sources include chia seeds, flax seeds, and soybeans.
4. Green, Leafy Vegetables
Leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, and bok choy are one of the best pain relievers. Much like cherry juice for joint health, these veggies are rich in antioxidants. These include vitamins A, C, and K, which help protect your cells from free radicals.
Many of these dark green veggies will also have high levels of calcium. Calcium strengthens your bones, which can reduce internal pain. Many cruciferous vegetables coming from the same family contain the chemical sulforaphane.
Sulforaphane shows the ability to block some of the inflammation processes in joints. It can also cut down on the progression of cartilage damage in osteoarthritis. Some studies even show green, leafy vegetables help prevent arthritis.
5. Garlic
Garlic is one of the healthiest foods in the world, packed full of health benefits. Some studies show garlic has components with different compounds that lower heart disease risk. It can also reduce the risk of osteoarthritis with its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies also show that garlic has specific phytochemicals that combat inflammatory markers. These markers associated with arthritis show a decrease in pain stimulus and improves total health.
6. Red Peppers
If you like spicy foods, red pepper is one of the most major picks when it comes to the joints. It helps in improving collagen production in your body.
Many red peppers are dense with Vitamin C, which is great for development. It helps in the full development of all parts of the body, including bones, muscles, and teeth. Apart from its improvement in the immune system, it helps with cartilage maintenance.
Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen – a tissue crucial to your joint health. With more collagen, you can reduce the friction between your joints and feel more freedom.
7. Olives
Olives are some of the best inflammation fighters out there, with olive oil packed with nutrition. Extra-virgin olive oil contains the compound oleocanthal. This oil has different anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, great for people with joint pain.
Long term consumption helps not only in joint pain reduction but also lowers the risk of heart attack. It even activates the TRPA1 ion channel, activated by ibuprofen for pain relief kinetics.
8. Dairy
Dairy products are helpful in your joint health. While it doesn’t help straight up in reducing pain or inflammation, it helps in other aspects. Dairy is rich in calcium and Vitamin D, both crucial in bone health.
Calcium strengthens and improves bone density. Vitamin D helps in easier calcium absorption. If dairy is not your thing, green leafy veggies are an alternative.
9. Ginger
Ginger also hails as a cure-all in the food and herbal medicine world, for a reason. Ginger blocks the production of substances that promote inflammation. Like many other herbals, ginger can also reduce the inflammation markers specific to arthritis.
Ginger extract has direct effects on osteoarthritis, reducing knee pain in many studies. Daily consumption in food or as powder or tea can help you get its effects.
10. Walnuts
Walnuts are among the most nutrient-dense nuts, full of compounds that reduce joint inflammation. Eating walnuts as is can reduce markers of arthritic inflammation in joints. It is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for joint health.
There are even studies that show that walnuts can work better than olive oil. It lowers levels of pain and cut on the symptoms of arthritis.
Feel Strong Today With These Foods For Joint Health
If you’re looking for foods for joint health, it’s crucial to know what to eat. Take the foods listed above and make sure to incorporate them into your diet. Each one has its own benefits and you would love them in your food.
If you or a loved one are in pain, you need a place where experts can help you manage it every day.
We are your prime choice in pain management and helping you get your mobility back. With our expert healthcare, you’ll be back to life in no time.
Consult with us today and take your life back.