How to Improve Your Joints’ Health through Diet

A painful joint movement can affect you daily routine and even keep you from doing most of your favorite activities. There are a lot of different causes for this issue, from medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sprains, tendonitis, strains, bursitis, to aging – the tissue of the joint itself and the one around it has been used and sometimes overstrained for years now.

Because of these reasons, it is necessary to do everything in your power to keep your joints in an excellent shape. But how can you do that? One of the simplest ways to maintain your joints strong and healthy is by paying attention to what you eat. By just introducing some foods into your diet, you can avoid some serious problems like joint inflammation, pain and stiffness.

• Apples

As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. This is valid in the case of joints, too. The quercetin contained in the fruit helps in this case. Quercetin is the base pigment in apples and has an important role in the production of collagen, the protein that permits the joints to move freely.

• Onions and Garlic

These herbs contain a substantial amount of sulfuric compounds, which can help in reducing inflammations and, moreover, in preventing them. Without your joints inflamed, you will be free to move and will not have to suffer from pain with every step you take.

• Cruciferous Vegetables

Not only onions and garlic contain these sulfuric compounds that fight against inflammations. There are also others veggies with a good amount of these substances, especially cruciferous vegetables – cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, radish, kale, turnips etc.

• Pineapples

An enzyme named bromelain, present in pineapples, helps you to avoid joint inflammations. Furthermore, pineapples are rich in vitamin C, another support in protecting your joint tissues.

• Papayas

Papaya has a miraculous enzyme when it comes to combating inflammations. The papain is an anti-inflammatory enzyme, with great effects on your joints. Not to mention that papayas provide you a good quantity of vitamin C, just like pineapples.

• Citrus Fruits

If we mentioned the benefits of vitamin C for your joints’ health, we could not omit citrus fruits. As one of the most valuable sources of vitamin C, they should be consumed as such or as juice anytime we can.

• Almonds

A great way to fight joint inflammation and joint pain is by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds are well known for the great amount of this fatty acid, but you can also go with pistachios, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans as they contain omega-3s, too.

• Sunflower Seeds

Besides nuts, another great source of omega-3 fatty acids is represented by sunflower seeds. Keeping that in mind, you should try to consume them regularly. You can include them in your diet by sprinkling them on your favorites treats, for example on yogurt, cereals, and why not on baked goodies.

• Oils

Oils are vital for your joints’ health. Why? They can prevent many problems by lubricating your joints. A great choice is olive oil – rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. Another good example is coconut oil, which can even be applied externally to reduce the pain.