By Vera Awuah
Honnyveea3@gmail.com
Do you experience them? Arthritis is a common health condition involving chronic inflammation in your joints. It causes pain and damage to joints, bones, and other parts of the body depending on the type of the disease.
Osteoarthritis, which is a common arthritis condition, which is non-inflammatory, is the most common – though over 100 types exist. In fact, up to 40% of men and 47 to 48% of women may be diagnosed with Osteoarthritis during their lifetime.
Meanwhile, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis are inflammatory conditions that are considered auto immune diseases.
Gout is also another common type of inflammatory arthritis. Research has proven that dietary intervention, such as eliminating certain foods in beverages, may reduce symptoms severity in people with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis as well as improve their overall quality of life.
Here are selected Foods and Beverages to avoid if you experience arthritis in your human system.
ADDED SUGARS:
We all know that a lot of sugary foods can cause more harm to the body. It is therefore advisable to limit your sugar intake no matter what, but especially if you experience arthritis or when you feel the signs of arthritis in your body. Sugars are found in many foods and beverages like ice cream, candy, soda, carbonated drinks and numerous other foods, including less obvious items like barbecue sauce and more.
Studies have proven that 217 people with rheumatoid arthritis noted that among 20 foods, sugar sweetened soda and desserts were the most frequently reported to worsen RA symptoms. What is more is that sugary beverages like soda may significantly increase your risk of arthritis. For example, in a study in 1,209 adults ages 20-30 of those who drank fructose sweetened beverage 5 times per week or more were 3 times likelier to have arthritis than those who consumed few to no fructose-sweetened drinks and foods.
GLUTEN CONTAINING FOODS:
Gluten is a group of proteins in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye).
A study shows that it increased inflammation and suggest that going gluten-free may ease arthritis symptoms. What’s more, people with celiac disease are at greater risk of developing RA likewise those with autoimmune disease like RA have a significantly higher prevalence of celiac disease than the general population.
Highly processed foods are diets that are ultra-procesd items like fast food, break cereal and baked goods are typically high in refined grains, added sugar, preservatives and other potentially inflammatory ingredients all of which may worsen arthritis symptoms.
Research has proven that highly rich diets which are rich in heavily processed foods may increase your risk of RA by contributing to inflammation and risk factors like obesity. What’s more, in a study of 56 people with RA, those who ate higher amount of ultra-processed food showed increased heart disease risk factors, including higher level of glycated hemoglobin (HbAIc), a long-term marker of blood sugar control and increase the risk of other diseases.
ALCOHOL:
As alcohol worsens arthritis symptoms, it is advisable that anyone with inflammatory arthritis should restrict or avoid it.
A research study in about 278 people with axial spondylarthritis-Inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spinal cord and coeliac (SI) joints-tied alcohol intake to increased spinal structure damage.
It is being verified that alcohol intake may increase the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Moreover, chronic alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis though not all proven have found a significant benefits.
FOOD HIGH IN SALT
It is true that salt is the taste of the earth and without salt everything becomes tasteless. but too much of it can really cause damage to our system. Cutting back on salt may be a good choice for people with arthritis.
Food high in salt include shrimp, canned soup and sauce, pizza, certain cheeses, processed meat, and numerous other processed items.
A mouse search found that arthritis is more severe in mice fed a high salt diet than in those on a diet containing normal salt levels. Additionally, a 62- short study revealed that a low salt diet reduces the severity of RA, compared with a high salt diet.
Mice on the low salt diet had less cartilage breakdown and bone destruction as well as lower inflammatory markers than mice on the high salt diet.
Interestingly, scientist have suggested that high sodium intake may be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases like inflammatory arthritis. So, it is advisable to know the right kind of food and drinks to select.
Natural fruits and juice are the best form of selection you need to take and make it a lifestyle habit for your health and well-being.
Enjoy eating the right choice, and happy healthy eating!
