The Top 5 Foods to Avoid For Arthritis Sufferers

Anyone who suffers with arthritis knows that sometimes the pain can be difficult to handle. Depending on what area of the body is being affected, arthritis can inhibit your mobility and ability to carry out day to day tasks.

There are a number of therapies available to help improve the condition, but an often overlooked aspect is diet. We all know that what we eat has a big impact on our bodies, and certain foods can cause inflammation in the joints which will make symptoms of arthritis worse.

Here are the top 5 foods to avoid for arthritis sufferers:

1. Cakes and Biscuits.  This one’s going to hurt a little, but thanks to the high amounts of sugar and refined carbohydrates those afternoon cakes could lead to inflammation flare-ups. This is because the sugars cause a build-up of a toxin called an advanced glycogen end product (AGE). When the body breaks these down the process can cause inflammation which can increase discomfort in arthritic joints.

2. Fatty Meats. We all know too much saturated fat isn’t good for us, and you’ll find lots in fatty cuts of beef, pork and the like. Saturated fat can cause inflammation to flare up, and it also contributes to weight gain,putting more strain on those already aching joints.

3. Salt. We all like a bit of salt with things, it brings out flavours and can add some needed kick to meals. However salt is terrible for causing fluid retention and swelling on joints. Unfortunately salt is piled into so many foods these days it’s hard to avoid. Consider using it minimally yourself and choose low sodium versions of food that you buy in the supermarket.

4. Alcohol. Oh dear, we’ve deprived you of your afternoon Victoria sponge and now you can’t have that glass of white wine with your fish supper, or that cheeky sherry in the evening. Like all things, alcohol in moderation is fine but in excess it’s bad for you in many ways. Arthritis sufferers need to beware of alcohol’s ability to cause gout, which comes with bouts of acute inflammatory arthritis.

5. Fried Food. Too much fried food isn’t good for your heart, and it isn’t much good for your joints either. You get a lot of Omega-6 oils in fried food, and although Omega-6 is important for overall health, once you get too much it increases enzymes in the body which cause inflammation. Again, you don’t need to forgo all fried food, just limit the amount.

Although changing your diet isn’t a cure for arthritis, it can help reduce flare-ups and also improve your overall health both of which will have a positive effect on the condition. There is some research that suggests that foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as oily fish, can have a beneficial effect on arthritis, so make sure that you eat a balanced diet to include such foods.