Do you notice that your arthritis symptoms increase after eating certain foods? There has long been a belief that certain items, such as fast foods, can impact your level of pain and increase inflammation.
Eating well and understanding the nutrients you are fueling your body with can help relieve soreness and improve your overall physical and mental well-being. Arthritis is one of the most common conditions in the world, with estimates suggesting that 1% of the global population is currently living with the condition.
Despite the common misconception that it is a condition that only impacts the elderly, the stiffness and pain of arthritis can affect everyone, with the majority of sufferers actually being under 65. While there is no current medical cure for arthritis, ditching those fried foods and focusing on what you are consuming can help to reduce the impact it has on your life.
Why are fried foods bad?
While diet is not the cause or a cure for arthritis, it can be a major contributing factor in the stiffness and pain that you encounter. However, obesity is one of the biggest contributors, and fried foods are one of the leading causes of being overweight. These, high in calories but low in nutrition items, are incredibly unhealthy, and regular consumption can quickly lead to weight gain.
Obesity and fried foods significantly impact the symptoms of arthritis in two key areas. The first is the additional weight and pressure that is being placed on your joints. While our joints are able to withstand a lot, this increased pressure is often more than they can handle, grinding the cartilage and increasing the inflammation.
Fried foods also increase this inflammation even further. They are very high in trans fats, which themselves are very unhealthy and responsible for a wide range of diseases. However, they are also known to increase the level of inflammation throughout the body, which can make the pain of arthritis even worse.
Regularly eating these fried foods can also affect your body in a range of different ways. While there can be no denying that it is highly convenient, with millennials admitting that they spend 45% of their income on eating out, it is also very damaging. The low nutritional value and high carbohydrates can result in an increase in blood sugar, while they are also high in sodium, which can increase your blood pressure. This results in poorer circulation and heart disease, which only impacts how arthritis affects your body even further.
What other foods are harmful?
While fried foods are a major contributor to increasing the stiffness and pain of arthritis, they are not the only food and beverages that can lead to an increase in symptoms. Other potentially harmful ingredients and foods include:
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- Food high in sugar
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We all love a sweet treat every now and then, and having arthritis does not mean that you cannot still treat yourself. However, added sugars, something which is common in fast foods such as ice cream and sodas, have been shown to increase the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Food and beverages which are high in sugar have also been known to increase the risk of developing arthritis. A recent study found those who consumed five or more fructose-sweetened drinks a week were three times more likely to develop arthritis.
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- Foods containing gluten
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Certain studies have begun to show that those living with arthritis who follow a diet with more gluten-free food have fewer symptoms than those who follow a diet with more fried foods. However, these studies are still in their infant stages, and more research is required to be able to confirm the full benefit of a gluten-free diet.
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- Processed foods
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Processed foods are incredibly harmful to our bodies, and most fast and fried foods utilize processed food and meat. These can help to increase the levels of inflammation in the body, but they have also been shown to be a significant contributor to obesity.
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- Salt
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While salt is an essential seasoning for food, consuming too much of it can be very harmful to our bodies. It has been known to increase inflammation in the body and can make arthritis symptoms such as stiffness and pain more frequent. One study on mice found that those that were fed on a lower-salt diet had less breakdown of cartilage in their joints while their bones were also more robust.
What foods should you eat to reduce arthritis symptoms?
While lowering the amount of fried food in your diet can help to reduce the soreness and pain of arthritis, incorporating other types of food can also help to lessen the impact the condition has on your body.
While these foods cannot cure arthritis, they can help to lower the levels of inflammation and the stiffness in your joints. Some of the best foods to incorporate include:
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- Nuts
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Nuts are one of the best additions to any diet. Not only are they packed with protein, but they also provide your body with Vitamin E, Zinc, and Magnesium. These are essential minerals for your body and can alleviate inflammation and soreness.
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- Omega-3 fats
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While the fats found in fried foods are damaging to your body, leading to obesity and inflammation within the body, not all fats are bad. Incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet from foods such as tuna and salmon can help to lower inflammation and fuel your body.
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- Alliums
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The Allium family, such as onions, shallots, garlic, and scallions, can not only help you to ditch fried foods and create delicious dishes, but they are also great for arthritis. These ingredients are bursting with minerals that can boost your immune system and lower the symptoms of arthritis.
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- Beans
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Beans are another fantastic addition to your diet and can give your body the fiber and protein it needs for a healthy lifestyle. They are also high in iron, zinc, and potassium, which can help to boost your immune system and lower inflammation, reducing the stiffness and soreness of arthritis.
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- Citrus fruits
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Another fantastic ingredient to incorporate into your diet is citrus fruits. From oranges and lemons to grapefruits and limes, these fruits are high in Vitamin C and can be a great way to replace those sugary treats.
Looking to get moving again?
Arthritis does not need to hold you back, and ditching those fried foods and potentially harmful ingredients can lower your symptoms and help you enjoy less pain. If you are looking to get moving again, JointFuel360 is here to help you.
With over two decades of experience, our innovative oral supplement is the result of thorough research and development. Using science-backed ingredients, JointFuel360 helps improve your joints’ overall health, with customers noticing a reduction in their symptoms in as little as 30 days.
Our entire team is dedicated to helping you get moving again and reducing that stiffness in your joints. Want to find out how JointFuel360 can assist you? Check out our full range here or, if you have any questions, get in touch with our team today.
