Arthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints, affecting millions of people worldwide. While medications and physical therapy are often used to manage symptoms, what you eat can also play a significant role in either worsening or improving your condition. Certain foods can promote inflammation in the body, potentially making arthritis symptoms more severe.
Jeffrey Peng, MD, recently discussed the three worst types of foods you should avoid when it comes to alleviating arthiritis. According to him, processed/fried foods, sugary/high glycemic foods, and processed meats are the worst offenders.
He says that “the food you eat could have a significant impact on how you experience symptoms related to arthritis. Recent studies have shown that diet plays a vital role in managing arthritis and its related symptoms. Certain foods can trigger inflammation and worsen pain, while others can actually help alleviate them.” Read on to get all his expert insights.
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1. Processed and fried foods
While processed and fried foods may be tempting, their high inflammation levels can negatively impact your joint health.
Dr. Peng adds that these foods “can wreak havoc on our joints. Processed foods often contain high levels of unhealthy fats, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates. These ingredients not only contribute to weight gain but also promote inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate arthritis symptoms." Think sugary breakfast cereals, frozen pizzas, packaged snacks, and instant noodles.
"Similarly, fried foods are cooked in unhealthy fats and oils that not only add unnecessary calories but also trigger inflammation. This leads to increased joint pain and discomfort," he notes. He instead suggests going for whole unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins because these will provide essential nutrients without the added inflammatory component.
2. Sugar or high glycemic index foods
Unfortunately, the modern American diet is excessively high in refined sugar. However, by being mindful of your food choices and checking labels, you can make healthier choices that may help reduce your risk of developing arthritis in the future.
“Sweet treats are hard to resist, but all of that excess sugar intake can trigger inflammatory responses in the body. High sugar consumption promotes the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can worsen arthritis symptoms," he reveals.
Foods to avoid are white bread, white rice, potatoes, sugary breakfast cereals, and sugary snacks like candies, cookies, and cakes.
Dr. Peng adds that one study “looked to examine the longitudinal relationship between blood glucose levels and knee symptoms related to arthritis; they found that higher blood glucose levels were associated with worse knee symptoms over the one-year follow-up time period.”
3. Processed meats
Foods like sausages, hot dogs, deli meats, and bacon may taste great and are convenient to prepare, but Peng calls them “problematic” for arthritis.
They “can promote inflammation and worsen arthritis symptoms. In fact, research suggests that processed meat consumption may lead to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Additionally, processed meats have been associated with an increased risk of certain conditions like heart disease and colorectal cancer, so cutting back on these meats not only benefits your arthritis management but also your overall health.”
He recommends sticking with whole, colorful foods such as a variety of fruits and veggies, including berries, leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits, and whole grains.
