Plant Foods Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis

Fight the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis with anti-inflammatory plant foods and a plant-based diet.

The pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms can be crippling. And people suffering from this condition are motivated to seek ways to combat these side effects naturally. More research is linking diet—in particular anti-inflammatory foods—with the lessening of RA symptoms. Regularly eating foods like blueberries, whole grains, ginger, and specific oils and teas can help patients with RA manage symptoms and slow progression of the disease, according to a new study. A review of several studies focused on the dietary components and plant compounds in foods that have proven beneficial on RA by reducing inflammation, joint stiffness and pain, and lowering oxidative stress. Eliminating alcohol and smoking, and changing from an omnivorous diet, meat-heavy diet to a Mediterranean or vegan diet is also recommended.

(Frontiers in Nutrition, November 2017)

Read more about this study here.

Image: Wild Blueberry Purple Power Smoothie, Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN

For other anti-inflammatory recipes, check out some of my favorites:

Classic Tomato Soup
Roasted Butternut Squash with Dates, Figs, and Pistachios
Mandarin, Quinoa and Kale Bowl

And read more about fighting inflammation with your fork at The Plant-Powered Dietitian.