There are so many things that can make your every joint movement painful — sprains, strains, tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Other than these injuries and medical conditions, your body’s hinges are also affected tremendously by aging as the tissues in and around the joint undergo wear and tear through the years.
Due to all of the reasons mentioned above, it’s important to do everything you can to keep your joints in tip-top shape. Eating the right kinds of foods can promote strong and healthy joints. Continue reading to know which foods you should serve more on the table to help ward off joint pain, stiffness and inflammation.
Munching on an apple a day may keep joint pain away. That’s because of the quercetin in the popular fruit. This plant-based pigment helps promote the production of collagen, a structural protein found in cartilages that allow the bones of the joints to move freely.
Garlic and Onions
Adding these herbs generously into your daily diet helps you enjoy healthy joints, thanks to the sulfuric compounds in them that help battle inflammation. Without inflammation, your every movement need not be filled with aches and pain.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Other than the herbs mentioned above, there are also so many foods that also contain good amounts of those inflammation-fighting sulfuric compounds, in particular cruciferous vegetables. Some wonderful examples of these veggies that help promote healthy joints include broccoli, kale, cauliflower, radish, turnips and cabbage.
Almonds
Thanks to the good amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in them, munching on almonds is a great way to ward off joint pain and inflammation. You may also include cashews, Brazil nuts, pecans and pistachios as they are also loaded with omega-3s.
Sunflower Seeds
Aside from nuts, it is also a good idea to regularly consume sunflower seeds. That’s because these tiny treats are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Flax, pumpkin, watermelon and other seeds are also superb sources of those healthy fats. Sprinkle them on your cereals, yogurt, oatmeal and even baked goodies.
Pineapples
There’s an enzyme in every serving of pineapple called bromelain that is known to help ward off joint inflammation. What’s more, pineapples are teeming with vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps prevent damage to the joint tissues.
Papayas
This tropical fruit is known to combat inflammation very well, thanks to its papain content, an anti-inflammatory enzyme. Just like pineapples, papayas also contain vitamin C that minimizes the effects of wear and tear on the joint tissues.
Citrus Fruits
Obviously, what makes the likes of oranges and lemons very good against combating a problematic joint is the vitamin C in them. Consider taking citrus fruits in juice form in order to help increase your daily fluid intake. Drinking lots of fluids helps ward off pain by lubricating your joints.
Coconut Oil
Aside from tasting and smelling yummy, coconut oil is a potent fighter of pain and inflammation. This healthy oil may be taken internally as well as applied externally to help deal with painful and stiff joints.
Olive Oil
Taking this healthy oil on a regular basis helps maintain healthy joints, thanks to its loads of healthy fats and antioxidants. Go ahead and slather your vegetable salads with olive oil. You may also simply take 1 to 2 tablespoons of it daily.
Turmeric
Something as simple as sprinkling turmeric on soups and stews may help you attain relief from an achy joint. This solution is also a great way to keep inflammation of the joint at bay. Turmeric is so powerful that it may also be applied on an achy and swollen joint. Place a few drops of water on the spice to turn it into a pain- and inflammation-fighting paste.
Ginger
Another herb that is very good at promoting strong and healthy joints is ginger. So powerful, it’s been used by traditional healers for so many centuries against all sorts of problems involving inflammation and pain.
