Arthritis, an autoimmune disorder can get triggered with certain foods causing inflammation and pain. Such foods are to be avoided. Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes acute inflammation, stiffness and pain in the joints. Depending on etiology, there are multiple arthritis conditions like, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout. These manifest differently and thus, have a different set of symptoms and risk factors. The only thing in common between all these is inflammation. This is why there are common foods that should be eaten and avoided when you have any type of arthritis. Following foods are contributory in nature and must be avoided to control pain, inflammation and other symptoms of arthritis.

Red Meat

Refrain from red meat. There is a higher amount of saturated fats which are harmful to the body. Red meat, can trigger symptoms of arthritis by increasing inflammation. The Joints worsens, swells making things difficult for you. Researches time and again have found that consuming red meat reduces inflammatory biomarkers. Thus, you can compensate red meat with other protein options like that of fish, chicken, nuts and legumes.

Gluten

A diet free of gluten is ideal. If you are allergic or it doesn’t suit you prefer a gluten-free diet. Gluten is present in food like wheat, rye, barley, etc. which gives them a sticky texture. Some preliminary studies have found that consuming gluten worsens the symptoms of arthritis. Also, people who have autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis if they consume gluten.

High-Fat Dairy products

Dairy or Dairy products though in general are harmless for arthritis patients high-fat dairy needs to be avoided. This can be difficult as there is a range of dairy products from milk to cheese and what to eat, what not could be an impossibility. You need to reduce products with high-fat content like milk and cheese. This dairy fat is known to be associated with inflammatory biomarkers and thus, it is better avoided to prevent arthritis pain & inflammation triggers.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Sugar is allowed only to a certain extent. There are many foods that have added sugars such as soda, carbonated drinks, packaged fruit juices and other such beverages. Limiting sugar intake is also recommended as sugar can also trigger inflammation. It is better to avoid sugary foods if you have arthritis as this would also reduce the risk of diabetes. Better go for unsweetened drinks and use natural flavours to improve the taste of food.

Salt

One of the main ingredients in our kitchen is salt. There are many types of salt that can be consumed but table salt is not good for arthritis patients as it increases inflammatory response, doubling the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Too much salt consumption is linked to arthritis along with hypertension. Therefore, avoiding it is the best option to keep your health in place. You can switch to other spices and herbs that enhance the flavour and reduce the craving for salt.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are essential for the body for these might not be as useful for arthritis patients. Particularly, omega-6 fatty acids are a strict no-no because of these ability to trigger inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand, are anti-inflammatory. If you consume foods that are high in omega-6 fatty acids content, you might experience pain and inflammation. Oils like sunflower, safflower and canola contain higher amounts of omega 6 fatty acid. Better substitute them with olive oil.