Arthritis in knee and other joints

a woman sitting on a bed with her legs crossed

Arthritis, a leading cause of chronic pain, limited mobility, and disability, affects 53.2 million US adults between 2019 and 2021. Commonly affecting joints in the hands, knees, lower back, neck, and hips, it has no cure and worsens with age. Inflammation damages cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and bone spurs. People with osteoarthritis are three times more likely to develop multiple chronic conditions.

Anti-Inflammatory Fruits to soothe arthritic pain

Berries, including strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries, are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Clinical trials have shown that berries can reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and osteoarthritis, improving inflammation and cartilage degradation. Dr. Wessam Labib, director of geriatric medicine at Loma Linda University, supports this claim.

Bananas are a rich source of potassium and magnesium, supporting bone density and reducing arthritis symptoms. A large banana provides 9 percent of the recommended daily intake of magnesium. Banana peels are rich in polyphenolic compounds, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and T-cell immunomodulatory effects.
Choose your bananas with a few black dots. Please do not eat them green, hard or yellow with no black markings.

Watermelon, a refreshing summer fruit, is rich in antioxidants like lycopene, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and polyphenols, which protect joint cartilage cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing joint discomfort and arthritis prevention.

Avocado is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids, potassium, vitamin E, and fibre, with about 21% of the recommended daily intake. It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular ingredient in osteoarthritis supplements.

Pomegranate, a medicinal herb rich in polyphenols, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Consuming pomegranate may help inhibit cartilage breakdown and inflammatory mediators associated with arthritis. In vitro studies show that pomegranate fruit extract can suppress inflammation and reduce cartilage degradation. A clinical trial involving 38 patients with knee osteoarthritis showed that daily consumption of 200 millilitres of pomegranate juice improved physical function, reduced stiffness, decreased cartilage-breakdown enzymes, and increased antioxidant capacity.