Pain caused due to inflammation and wear and tear in the joints and the tissues around the joints is a result of arthritis. Pain, stiffness, and swelling around the joints are some symptoms of arthritis, and this pain can cause mild to severe effects if left untreated. Although the term arthritis refers to over 200 conditions affecting the joints, the two most common types of arthritis pain are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system starts attacking the cells around the joints. The areas mostly affected by such pain are the elbow, wrist, feet, back, and feet. If not treated, this pain can lead to muscle weakness and stiffness, and can also cause bone deformation. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is caused due to wear and tear of tissues around the joints and is also a common type of arthritis. Although pain due to arthritis is not curable, one can ease the pain through regular medication and exercise, along with maintaining a healthy weight and eating nutritious foods.

The following are some of the top foods to manage arthritis pain:

• Omega-3 fatty acids
  Rich in polyunsaturated fats and having anti-inflammatory properties, foods with omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the pain and stiffness caused due to arthritis. Consuming foods like fish, walnuts, almonds, and flaxseeds can help not only in reducing pain but also in fighting depression and promoting brain and bone health.
• Fruits and vegetables
  Fruits and vegetables are must-have foods to manage arthritis pain as they are great sources of vitamins, flavonoids, and antioxidants, all of which help lower and ease out the symptoms of arthritis pain. Broccoli, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, papaya, and oranges help lower inflammation, reduce cell damage, and relieve pain caused due to arthritis.
• Oils
  Virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and corn oil are healthy choices and are some of the top foods to manage arthritis pain as the compounds in these oils help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. These oils contain healthy monounsaturated fats that help manage weight and also prevent Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer.

Let’s now look at some foods to avoid:

• Sugar
  Compounds found in sugar cause inflammation, which can trigger arthritis pain. The intake of sugar also leads to weight gain, worsens arthritis pain and stiffness, and causes swelling in the joints. So, it is advisable to avoid sugary drinks and foods containing sugar to prevent or manage arthritis pain.
• Saturated fat
  Packaged foods, pork, whole milk, ice-cream, and cheese are some examples of foods with saturated fats as they not only cause inflammation in the joints but are also responsible for weight gain, increasing the risk of heart diseases, and weakening the cartilages.
• Refined carbohydrates
  Also known as pro-inflammatory carbohydrates, refined carbohydrates are found in foods like white bread, white rice, potato chips, and sodas, which trigger arthritis pain. Avoiding foods with refined carbohydrates and replacing them with healthier whole grains like brown rice can help ease the symptoms.