People with arthritis report reduced mobility, limited knee function, inflamed joints, and excess knee pain. Whether it’s because of aging or a knee injury that’s damaged the knee joint, the condition can get severe, increasing the risk of permanent immobility. You must see an orthopedic doctor to address the symptoms.
However, the medication and the treatment work only when you eat and avoid food according to your doctor’s instructions. Let’s check out the detailed list of the foods and beverages you must consider and avoid in arthritis.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods, like sweetened drinks and highly processed food, can worsen your condition. Here’s what to avoid.
- Red Meat: Red or processed meat is often associated with increased inflammation, making the symptoms of arthritis worse and extremely painful. You should rather stick to chicken, fish, tofu, and other healthy sources of lean protein.
- Gluten-Rich Food: Gluten-rich diet is a big no for arthritis patients. It can disturb your gut health, leading to many inflammatory issues. Researchers believe that eating a gluten-free diet during your arthritis treatment is the best way to keep gluten-induced inflammation at bay. It will also ease the painful symptoms of arthritis.
- Processed Food: Processed foods, whether it’s junk food or baked items, contain ingredients that contribute to inflammation and many other physical issues. They contain additives, fructose, and preservatives, which can make arthritis symptoms worse.
- Salty Food: A high concentration of sodium in your diet is also bad for your joints. Some research shows that it can increase your risk of developing arthritis, while others show that this inflammatory disease tends to be more severe in people with high sodium intake than others.
- Added Sugar: Limiting your sugar intake, especially foods that come with added sugar, can make a big difference to your arthritis symptoms. Many patients have reported worsened symptoms from constant sugar intake.
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Beverages to Avoid
Likewise, red wine, coffee, and sweetened beverages must be avoided. Let’s check out the beverages that can worsen your arthritis symptoms.
- Alcohol: Research shows that increased alcohol consumption can put you at a higher risk of OA. Many people think red wine is beneficial for your health, as it has resveratrol. However, alcohol, no matter the type, has its downsides. It’s best to limit your alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether.
- Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Sweetened drinks, like soda, can raise the uric acid in your body and can make arthritis symptoms unmanageable. The fructose-rich sweetened drinks have added sugar, which might affect your natural ability to absorb calcium. This can affect your bone health.
- Coffee: There’s an ongoing controversy about whether or not coffee is good for people with arthritis. It’s a rich source of antioxidants, which can be very helpful in reducing inflammation. However excess caffeine is bad for your arthritis symptoms. Ideally, you should limit coffee and eat other antioxidant-rich foods instead.
Talk to your orthopedic surgeon in Thane to get a detailed list of the foods and beverages you must avoid in arthritis.