'Healthy Foods Cocktail' Fights Joint Pain
By Sandy Schroeder
If you wince a little with morning stiffness, or feel the pain of sore knees, hands or other joints during the day, you may welcome some fresh news in healthy foods that helps fight joint pain. Over-the-counter pain pills or hot showers and ice packs only go so far, but a snappy healthy food cocktail might work, too.
EasyHealthOptions focused on the problem recently, jumping in with an alcohol-free healthy foods cocktail that they recommend for healthier knees, hips, hands and other joints. As always, when you are making changes to your diet or medications check with your doctor first.
Check this list of healthy ingredients with benefits that may work in a variety of menus for you, and turn up as the best cocktail of the season.
Carrots - Maximize the pain-relief properties of carrots by choosing purple carrots that are almost 30 percent stronger in impact than their orange siblings. Either way, you reap anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, relief to soothe joint pain. You also get Vitamin C boosts to build collagen in the joints for more flexibility and strength.
Cucumbers - Slice up a cucumber to reduce inflammation and decrease the uric acid in joints which causes gout.
Celery - Pass the celery sticks and collect natural flavonoids that slow joint inflammation down.
Pineapple - This may be the ultimate powerhouse fruit. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that reduces joint swelling and relieves pain. It also helps reduce joint scar tissue that happens in wear-and-tear joint motion to keep you moving.
Turmeric - A staple in Indian and Chinese cooking, turmeric contains curcumin, a key component that helps knock back inflammation. Studies indicate turmeric can be beneficial in helping fight osteoarthritis in knees and rheumatoid arthritis pain.
Ginger - You may already know that ginger helps fight nausea and seasickness, but it also reduces joint pain and inflammation.
If you have been taking notes, you may want to blend all of these ingredients into a powerhouse cocktail, too.
Healthy Cocktail Recipe
Buy organic ingredients, if possible, to reduce pesticides and wash produce with a water/white vinegar mix.
1 Bunch of organic celery
1 Cucumber, peeled if not organic
1 inch piece of ginger root
1½ inches of turmeric root
3 organic carrots
2 cups of freshly chopped pineapple
Wash and chop all ingredients in a juicer or heavy-duty blender. Serve immediately or keep for up to 48 hours in an airtight glass container.
Bottoms up! Here’s to more action and less joint pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenville, S.C.