10 Foods That Seriously Cause Inflammation

Arthritis is very common in India. The common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis and the characteristic feature of the disease is inflammation of the joints. Do you know that certain foods can trigger inflammation and can make the pain bad? Here are 10 foods that cause inflammation and it is ideal to avoid them.

What Foods Cause Inflammation of Joints?

Here are 10 foods to avoid if you have inflammation of joints.

1. Fried and Processed Foods

2. Dairy Products

3. Alcohol and Tobacco

4. Salt and Preservatives

5. Corn Oil

6. Glycation Products

7. Sugar

8. Mono Sodium glutamate

9. Night Shades

10. Wheat Products

11. 
    

Fried and Processed Foods

Fried products cause inflammation, Credits: pixabay

Fried and processed foods are never good for your health. Most of the fried and processed foods contain trans-fat that increases bad cholesterol and also cause inflammation. When you cut down the number of processed foods, there are chances that your inflammation will subside and your body’s natural defenses will also be restored.

Instead of fried meats and prepared frozen meals, you can try incorporating lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Dairy Products

Dairy products can irritate the joints, Credits: pixabay

It is believed that some proteins in the dairy products can induce arthritis pain and irritate the tissue around the joints. If you feel that dairy products are inducing your joint pain, you can stop them temporarily and switch to a vegan diet, which does not contain any forms of animal products. You can get the required protein from vegetables like spinach, nut butter, tofu, beans, lentils, and quinoa.

Though milk is supposed to have an anti-inflammatory effect, the use of dairy products during joint pain is a little conflicting.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcohol causes gout, Credits: pixabay

Alcohol and tobacco pose lots of ill effects on your body. Smoking increases the citrullination of the joints and puts you at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Alcohol consumption can cause gout.

Salt and Preservatives

Saltinduces inflammation, Credits: pixabay

Alt tags: Salt

To increase the shelf life of the products, too much salt and preservatives are added. It is important to check the label before you buy a product. Excess amounts of salts can cause inflammation of the joints. So it is good if you keep your salt intake to a minimum amount. Always prefer prepared cooked meals that are rich in sodium and are healthy for your joints too.

Corn Oil

Cookies contain omega-6-fatty acids, Credits: pixabay

Many baked and snacks like cookies, crackers, and cake mix contain corn oil that is rich in omega-6-fatty acids. These omega-6-fatty acids can trigger inflammation and cause obesity. Instead, prefer foods made from olive oil that contains omega-3-fatty acids that help relieve from joint pain.

Glycation Products

Grilled meat can induce inflammation, Credits: pixabay

You may love roasted, grilled meat cooked at high temperatures. But they are bad. An advanced glycation end product (AGE) is a toxin that appears when foods are heated, grilled, fried, or pasteurized. They can increase your inflammation. The highest of levels dietary AGEs are found in beef, pork, and fish. Some alternatives to these glycation products are steaming fish and seafood, simmering chicken in a sauce.

Sugar

High sugar release inflammatory mediators, Credits: pixabay

A diet rich in sugar can increase inflammation. So always limit the number of deserts, pastries, and sweet drinks, such as sodas and fresh juices. Sugar can trigger the release of inflammatory mediators called cytokines.

Mono Sodium glutamate

MSG is a flavor enhancer commonly found in soy sauce. This is thought to trigger inflammation.

Night Shades

Tomatoes can cause gout, Credits: pixabay

Nightshades are a group of vegetables (tomatoes, bell peppers, chili peppers, eggplant, and potatoes) that contain the compound solanine. Though not scientifically well established, people believe that removing these nightshade vegetables from the diet can help improve symptoms of arthritis. Tomatoes raise the levels of uric acid and can cause gout.

Wheat Products

Pasta can affect your joints, Credits: pixabay

Wheat products like pasta, bread, crackers and, bagels can affect your joints. Wheat contains gluten that can aggravate joint pain. Quinoa and brown rice can be alternatives.

What Are Anti-Inflammatory Foods?

The following foods can help manage your inflammation and joint pain.

1. Onions, garlic, and leeks

2. Sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots

3. Green leafy vegetables

4. Citrus fruits, strawberries, and kiwi fruit

5. Nuts and seeds

6. Olive oil

Take-Home-Message

There is no single diet that works for everyone. If you feel that certain foods trigger your joint pain, it is better to avoid them. Make sure you do exercises and have a balanced diet to fight against your joint pain.