Want Joint Pain Relief? Try Eating These

Are your knees stiff? Do your shoulders ache? Are your joints painful? Well, you’re not the only one. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 14 million people suffer from joint pain commonly caused by inflammation in the body. Remedies include regular exercise and supplements, but what you eat may also help.

You might consider talking to your physician about adding the following foods to your diet:

Pineapple

It’s a fantastic anti-inflammatory because it contains bromelian, which has been shown to be as effective as ibuprofen for treating osteoarthritis pain. Research has also shown it to be effective in reducing inflammation related to rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Turmeric

The health benefits of turmeric—the yellow spice that flavors curries—are far reaching. In fact, we’ve covered them on this very blog. Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, has been shown to help suppress cancer, reduce blood pressure, and have a positive impact on inflammation, just to name a few.

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers, such as serrano and habanero, have large amounts of capsaicin, which as been shown to have positive effect on longevity, cancer prevention, inflammation, and pain. The hotter the pepper, generally the more capsaicin it contains.

Cherries

Well, isn’t this just the cherry on top?!

While all fruits and vegetables are good for you, some, like cherries, blueberries, and spinach, are antioxidant powerhouses. Cherries fall into that category. Many doctors recommend up to ten servings of fruits and vegetables in general.