Learn What Foods Are Beneficial in More Ways Than One
There are plenty of ways to treat pain externally. Ice packs and warm compresses can only do so much. It turns out there are several super foods found effective in relieving pain in the body! Discover what foods to avoid and what foods to eat in order to reduce pain from inflammation, headaches, and more.
Reduce Pain With the Right Diet
Tart Cherries
In addition to their known ability to help fight cancer, tart cherries contain cyaniding which has been known to reduce inflammation. It’s been proven consuming tart cherries or taking them as a supplement can be even more effective than aspirin. Eating tart cherries has relieved the pain associated with gout and arthritis among other things. Adding tart cherry juice to a diet is beneficial as well.
Benefits of Consuming Tart Cherry Juice:
- Helps beat insomnia
- Eases muscle pain
- Provides a brain boost
Omega-3s
Adding or increasing your omega-3 intake has more benefits than one. Natural omega-3 foods help with reducing muscle, bone and joint pain by lowering inflammation. Fatty acids found in fish, a major source of omega-3, can reduce inflammation and has been known to lessen the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to know that omega-3 supplements can cause certain complications and should be discussed with your physician prior to taking.
Foods high in Omega-3s:
- Flaxseeds
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Chia Seeds
- Walnuts
- Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for generations in Asian countries to help prevent ailments. Recent studies show curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, helps to fight cancer and reduce inflammation. Adding this spice to a meal or two daily can be very beneficial.
How to Use Turmeric:
- Add to scrambled eggs
- Add to roasted vegetables
- Use in soups
- Add to your smoothie
- Add to tea
- Foods That Can Trigger Pain
Certain foods are known to be triggers and can cause or increase pain. A condition like migraines may be caused be a certain trigger and can be completely avoided. Learning what these triggers are and avoiding them can be effective way to manage and relieve your pain. It’s important to keep a daily log of the foods you eat to better help manage your pain.
Common Migraine Triggers:
- Tyramine or Phenylethylamine are amino acids found in chocolate and aged or fermented cheese
- Caffeine
- Aspartame an artificial sweetener found in many diet or light foods and drinks
- Nitrates found in processed meats
- Alcohol
Gout
Gout is an extremely painful inflammation of the joints caused by a build-up of uric-acid crystals. While the big toe is most commonly effected, the feet, ankles, knees and hands can be too. Men and obese people are at a greater risk. When you are prone to gout, certain foods may keep you pain-free.
Common Gout Triggers:
- Organ meats like liver
- Seafood like sardines, anchovies, mussels and salmon
- Sugary drinks
- Processed food like chips & frozen dinners
Arthritis
Arthritis worsens with joint inflammation. There are certain foods known to cause inflammation. By avoiding these foods, you can help to manage your pain.
Common Arthritis Triggers:
- Wheat and gluten are known to cause inflammation
- Dairy products
- Sugar
- Vegetable oils: cottonseed, canola, soybean, sunflower, safflower, rice bran, grape seed and corn oil
Fibromyalgia
If you’re living with fibromyalgia, your food choices could be making your pain worse. There’s no one-diet-fits-all plan, but limiting certain items might help.
Common Fibromyalgia Triggers:
- Caffeine
- Sugar
- Aspartame
- MSG
- Dairy
- Gluten