Arthritis, an inflammatory disorder, affects the joints in the body. There are hundreds of types of arthritis, and most of them can be managed with the right medications and diet. Here are some useful dietary tips for arthritis patients to manage the symptoms and lead a healthy life with the condition:

Foods to eat with arthritis

• Fatty fish: One of the best dietary tips for arthritis patients is to eat fatty fish regularly. Fatty fish are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory healthy fats. Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease, these healthy fats help prevent or relieve the inflammation and pain associated with the condition.
• Broccoli: Among all the green vegetables, broccoli is one of the best choices for arthritis patients to manage the symptoms. Studies show that people who eat broccoli regularly have lesser inflammatory markers in their bodies.
• Walnuts: Walnuts have significant anti-inflammatory properties. Walnuts are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and it is proven that arthritis patients who include walnuts in their regular diet experience lesser pain and discomfort.
• Spinach: Another great food that helps keep arthritis manageable is spinach. It is a rich source of an antioxidant called kaempferol, which has been proven to reduce inflammation in the body.

Foods to avoid for arthritis patients

• Fried, grilled, and processed foods: A vital point in the list of dietary tips for arthritis patients is to stay away from all kinds of processed foods. Such foods can trigger or aggravate inflammation in the body. Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products are a result of grilling, frying, or processing foods. These toxins increase the inflammatory markers in the body, flaring up arthritis pain. Additionally, processed foods are full of preservatives, which also trigger inflammation.
• Sugar: Including high amounts of sugar in the diet tends to cause inflammation in the body. This, in turn, directly increases the pain and discomfort due to arthritis.
• Corn oil: A lot of processed foods have corn oil, and studies show that corn oil can trigger inflammation in the body. It’s best for arthritis patients to switch over to oils with healthier fats like coconut oil or olive oil for their cooking needs.
• Packaged and salty snacks: Excess salt can cause inflammation in the joints, and when an individual is already struggling with arthritis, these salty snacks can worsen the symptoms. Salt also is a cause of water retention in the body and makes movement difficult for arthritis patients.

These dietary tips for arthritis patients are recommended by healthcare professionals and nutritionists. Arthritis is a condition that can be easily managed by making smart and healthy dietary and lifestyle choices. These changes can help both prevent and manage the condition to help patients lead a quality life.