Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, tenderness, pain, and stiffness in the joints. There are many factors that can worsen the symptoms, such as repetitive movement, cold weather, and stress. Apart from these, the foods you eat may also increase arthritis pain, swelling, and discomfort. According to experts, removing certain foods and beverages from your diet may reduce the severity of the condition and improve the quality of life.

1. Foods containing gluten
Gluten, a group of proteins present in wheat, rye, and barley, may increase inflammation and worsen arthritis symptoms. Research has proved that going gluten-free foods help ease the symptoms. If you already have celiac disease, the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increases. Hence, it is better to avoid foods containing gluten.

2. Processed and red meats
According to experts, including red and processed meats in your diet may also worsen arthritis symptoms. These foods contain high amounts of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and homocysteine. The results of a study showed that red meat increased RA symptoms. Another one showed that red meat might elevate the risk of inflammatory arthritis.

3. Processed foods
Breakfast cereals, fast foods, and baked products are important foods to avoid for arthritis pain. They typically contain high amounts of sugar, refined grains, preservatives, and other ingredients that may aggravate arthritis pain and other symptoms. Heavily processed foods also increase the risk of obesity and heart conditions.

4. Nightshades
Certain vegetables, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, chili peppers, and potatoes, may not be good for arthritis patients. Studies have also shown that removing nightshades from the diet improved symptoms in the participants. Hence, if you feel that nightshades are making your arthritis worse, you can exclude them from your diet for a few weeks and then reintroduce one at a time to know which ones worsen the symptoms.

5. High salt foods
High salt foods to avoid for arthritis pain include pizza, processed meats, certain cheeses, canned soups, and processed edibles. A study showed that a low salt diet alleviated RA symptoms when compared with a high salt one. A diet low in salt can also reduce cartilage and bone breakdown and ease inflammation. High sodium intake is one of the risk factors for inflammatory arthritis as well.

6. Alcohol
Studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption elevates the risk of inflammation and heart conditions. If you suffer from inflammatory joint pain, stop consuming alcohol completely for a few weeks, and you will notice the difference. It may ease joint pain and help you sleep better.

Apart from these, other foods to avoid arthritis pain include bread, pasta, certain vegetable oils, and products containing high amounts of sugar or sugar alternatives. These foods are likely to trigger inflammation and increase joint pain and discomfort.