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Doughnuts and coffee for breakfast? Time to say goodbye. The consumption of sugary snacks, sweets, and caffeinated beverages has been linked to an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. When the immune system (the body’s defense mechanism) isn’t functioning properly, it results in autoimmune disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can include:
- Weakness, fever, and a lack of appetite
- stiffness in the morning and after a period of inactivity
- Joints that are achy, hot, and swollen
The joints that connect your fingers and toes to your hands and feet are often the first to be affected by early rheumatoid arthritis.
These joints may be affected by rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, which can extend to both sides of your body over time.
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Hips
- Knees
- Shoulders
- Wrists
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with new medications and surgery, but don’t overlook the less invasive methods of relieving pain, such as rest and exercise, and nutritious eating. However, despite the lack of convincing scientific evidence, many highly-trained doctors counsel avoiding particular foods to see whether this helps alleviate joint inflammation and pain in those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats. Some RA patients find that switching to a plant-based diet, which includes soy, helps alleviate symptoms since the lipids in meat are more easily converted into pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body.
Is there a link between coffee and RA inflammation? Stopping coffee on a RA diet may help reduce inflammation and joint discomfort, as it has been shown that coffee may promote inflammation.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation may be a potential alternative for treating RA symptoms, according to one study, which found that:
- Stiffness in the mornings
- Pain
- Tender joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients may or may not have dietary allergies, but there is no universally accepted diet for the disease just yet. It’s impossible to prescribe a single diet because everyone’s body reacts differently to different meals.
However, the following foods have been linked to an increase in the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Dairy Diets
Specific proteins contained in dairy products may cause flare-ups in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Antibodies to milk proteins are present in some rheumatoid arthritis patients who report intolerance to milk. Normally, the immune system creates antibodies to defend itself against what it believes to be a dangerous material, such as milk. Still, these antibodies end up attacking the body as a whole as well. See if removing dairy items from your diet improves your symptoms of arthritis.
Consider rice, cashew, or almond milk to reduce inflammation while following a vegan diet. It’s possible that avoiding milk will alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis pain.
Meat
Another thing to avoid if you have arthritis is meat. RA symptoms are frequently alleviated by switching to a vegetarian diet instead of one high in animal products. The increased fat and calorie intake that comes with eating meat are indicative of a poor diet.
The body more readily converts meat fats into inflammatory molecules. Inflammatory chemicals are beneficial for combating an infection, but they can also cause painful inflammation and swelling in joints and other soft tissues. Plant protein sources like beans, lentils, and soy can supplement your RA diet instead of relying solely on meat.
Sugar
Refined sugars and sweets, no matter how much we love them, are not an important part of our diets. The empty calories and lack of nutrients in refined sugars like high-fructose corn syrup, for example, are bad for human health, and they should not be part of a regimen for those with RA.
People with rheumatoid arthritis need to cut down on refined sugar even more because sugar causes chronic inflammation, which RA sufferers don’t need. People with RA have a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease; therefore, regulating blood pressure and cholesterol is vital.
Gluten
According to new research, rheumatoid arthritis may be triggered by gluten in certain people. Wheat and other grains contain gluten, which gives baked goods a chewy feel. Eating gluten can trigger an immune response in the small intestine in someone with celiac disease, resulting in symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms worsen when the immune system’s inflammatory response spreads to the joints. According to research, the gluten-free trend is showing some positive results, including alleviating symptoms of celiac disease, which is associated with Rheumatoid arthritis. Get tested for celiac disease before embarking on a gluten-free diet.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- Which foods make arthritis worse?
Excessive use of inflammatory foods such as processed meals, salt, red meat, and alcohol may make arthritis symptoms worse. Consume plenty of leafy greens and beans, low in calories and high in vitamins and fiber.
2- Are bananas good for arthritis?
Those who have arthritis can benefit greatly from this simple fruit. Bone loss is accelerated by the calcification process of bones, which is reduced by potassium in bananas. Bananas can aid in the treatment of joint cartilage damage.
3- Is heat or ice better for arthritis?
Muscles can be soothed, and joints can be lubricated with heat. In some cases, heat therapy can be used to alleviate muscle and joint stiffness, warm up joints before exercise, or alleviate a muscular spasm. Arthritis and physical activity-induced inflammation, edema, and pain may be alleviated.
