Arthritis affects around 10 million people, young and old, in the UK.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most common types of arthritis, and symptoms include inflammation in and around the joints, warm, red skin over the affected joint, and weakness and muscle wasting.
While there is no cure, there are ways proven to ease pain and other symptoms.
What you eat can impact your arthritis – certain foods may not only increase inflammation, it can also set you up for other chronic conditions such as obesity, which can also affect arthritis.
Research from Germany suggests that eating a bowl of muesli every morning can make bones stronger and could help prevent certain types of chronic inflammatory arthritis later in life.
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications and found that eating a diet rich in fibre can help chronic inflammatory joint diseases, musculosketal conditions and help build stronger bones.
Dr Mario Zaiss, the study’s lead researcher, said: “Our findings offer a promising approach for developing innovative therapies for inflammatory joint diseases as well as for treating osteoporosis, which is often suffered by women after the menopause.
“We are not able to give any specific recommendations for a bacteria-friendly diet at the moment, but eating muesli every morning, as well as enough fruit and vegetables throughout the day, helps to maintain a rich variety of bacterial species.”
Researchers said the molecules in gut bacteria, which aid our metabolism, can affect the entire immune system.
That could have an effect on inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
So eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fibre and gut-friendly, anti-inflammatory options, could positively change the bacteria in the gut.
That could then help quell inflammation and positively impact the immune system.
Other foods that could ease arthritis pain include garlic.
The National Centre on Health, Physical Activity and Disability, states: “Garlic belongs to the Liliaceae, or lily, family.”
“Some studies show garlic to be an antimicrobial, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-arthritic agent. Garlic is also an antioxidant.
“Adding these potent herbs when cooking can help give your food wonderful flavour while also helping to decrease inflammation and pain from arthritis.”
