Have Arthritis? You May Want to Avoid These Foods
By Sara Butler
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can impact the lives of people of all ages, depending on the type of arthritis from which a person suffers. For anyone with an arthritis condition, diet plays a huge role. Researchers have found that eliminating or limiting some foods or drinks from your diet can have a positive impact on your arthritis and help to make life a little more enjoyable. Here are some of the foods and drinks you may want to avoid if you're struggling with arthritis pain.
Added Sugar
Everyone should keep an eye on the amount of added sugars they consume, but this is especially true if you suffer from arthritis. You may think this is relatively easy and that you simply have to avoid desserts and candy, but that's not entirely true.
Added sugars can be in almost anything, from your favorite salad dressing to ketchup. Sugary foods and drinks may make your arthritis symptoms worse, which is why you should always look at the nutritional labels of the foods and drinks you consume to help you keep tabs on the amount of sugar you're eating.
Processed Meat
Processed meat as well as red meat can increase your symptoms if you suffer from arthritis. It's thought that things in these meats increase overall inflammation and make the pain associated with arthritis worse.
If you can reduce the amount of red meat in your diet and cut out processed meats, then you may see an improvement in your arthritis symptoms.
Alcohol
Arthritis symptoms can also be made worse by drinking alcohol. Studies have found that alcohol is linked to a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis, too. So, it's best to err on the side of caution and try to eliminate alcohol or restrict your consumption.
Vegetable Oils
Some vegetable oils are good for you, but others are not -- and can actually make certain conditions worse. Oils low in omega-3 fats but high in omega-6 fats can make arthritis worse. Steer clear of oils such as corn or soybean oil and opt for avocado or olive oil instead.
Salty Foods
Salty foods should be avoided by those with arthritis. As a rule of thumb, any packaged, processed foods (aside from precut vegetables) is almost guaranteed to be high in salt. If you can cut your salt consumption, then you may reduce your risk for certain types of arthritis and reduce inflammation, too.
Arthritis can be tough to deal with, so make sure you're doing what you can through your diet to make the condition more tolerable.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lake Forest, Calif.