Foods to help ease arthritis symptoms revealed

Director of Arborvitae Health and Wellbeing, Brendan Howell, says that millions of people live with arthritis and are looking for ways to reduce the pain and discomfort, which is where eating specific foods can help ease the pain of the condition.

“While many people seek out medical assistance and take medication to alleviate the symptoms, there are things that people can be doing every day to minimise the impact of arthritis and it involves food,” says Mr Howell.

“A lot of foods cause inflammation in the body and only make arthritis worse. On the flip side, there are foods that help to reduce inflammation in the body and these are the foods that people should be adding into their diet every day to assist ease the impact of arthritis.

“While no food has been shown to cure arthritis, researchers have found a link between monounsaturated fats and reduced disease activity in arthritis. Foods high in monounsaturated fats include vegetable oils, avocados and many nuts and seeds.”

Mr Howell says his top five foods to ease arthritis pain should be implemented into your diet to reduce the side effects and symptoms of the condition and help lead a better life.

Fatty fish is at the top of the list, including mackerel, sardines, salmon, herring and trout, as they are packed with omega-3 fatty acids,

Mr Howell recommends two servings of fish every week, which can assist in alleviating joint pain. 

“It’s arguably the best food to eat for people with arthritis. It’s an absolute must. This is probably the best excuse to splurge on a delicious cut of salmon. Not only is salmon incredibly healthy, it also just happens to be really tasty — an added bonus!” says Mr Howell.

“Taking supplements high in omega-3 fatty acids is also associated with lower rates of joint pain and morning stiffness. Fish oil tablets aren’t just great for arthritis, they’re great for your brain as well.”

Another good addition to aid arthritis sufferers diet is green tea, which has inflammation-reducing properties.

Mr Howell recommends tea bags over powdered tea mixes as they are less processed and more natural.

Olive oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, similar to green tea, containing oleocanthal, which creates enzymes that help reduce inflammation.

It is easier to consume since olive oil is commonly used during cooking at home or at restaurants. 

Garlic has properties to help reduce pain from arthritis, also exhibiting anti-inflammatory benefits.

Mr Howell mentions that a study of over 1,000 twins found that those who had a high garlic intake have a reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis compared to their twin.

The last top food to help decrease pain is in oranges, due to its Vitamin C and collagen content, which helps cushion joints while they move.