Chronic pain plagues the lives of millions of people around the world every day. Joint pains and back pains that make day to day life harder. Providers like Doctor Puppala at Comprehensive Spine & Pain are able to treat pain in many ways once it gets out of hand. Before that happens, though, there are ways that you can manage pain day-to-day through healthy lifestyle changes; The cornerstone of which is always a good diet.
We have compiled a list of some of the most powerful anti-pain foods in the world. Using this list, you will be able to alter your diet to push pain out of your daily living, helping you to become more productive and happy.
Ginger
Ginger root has been a part of traditional medicine for years. It can assist with nausea and stomach pain.You can also see pain relief in achy muscles from exercising as well as menstrual cramps.
Studies have found that ginger works exceptionally well at relieving period pain.
Blueberries
These little juicy gems have lots of phytonutrients that may fight inflammation and lessen pain. If it’s not berry season, frozen blueberries can have the same or even more nutrients than fresh. Fruits with antioxidants like strawberries and oranges can have a similar pain soothing effect.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pepitas are a terrific source of magnesium, a mineral that may cut the number of migraines you get. It may also help prevent and treat osteoporosis. But despite what you may have heard, it doesn’t seem to stop leg cramps at night. For more magnesium, add almonds and cashews, dark green leafy vegetables (like spinach and kale), beans, and lentils to your diet.
Coffee
Another excuse to grab another cup of coffee, right? Research suggests that caffeine reduces pain in those suffering from exercise-induced muscular injury, soreness, and pain.
Studies have shown that when taken with a standard pain reliever like ibuprofen, the amount of caffeine in one cup of coffee increased the effects of pain releief felt by subjects.
Echinacea and Sage
Some research has shown that throat sprays containing sage or echinacea can help to provide relief from a sore throat. There have not been many studies to this effect, so the amount of research available is not very strong, but they would suggest a benefit in supplementing these into a healthy diet if you are experiencing throat pains.
You can get sage easily enough in grocery stores and it can be used in many delicious recipes. Echinacea is mainly found in pill and ointment form. You can find it a supplement supply stores.
Oranges
Most of us know that vitamin C will help to prevent sickness when taken in heavy doses as you start to feel sick. The onset of cold and respiratory infections can be halted by some extra vitamin C. What most people don’t know is that an antioxidant found in oranges called beta-cryptoxanthin has been found to help reduce the risk of anti-inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Salmon
Loaded with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, salmon makes just about all of the “good for you” lists. It’s considered heart-healthy and may relieve joint tenderness if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Other varieties of cold-water fish, including tuna, sardines, and mackerel, are good choices, too. Stay away from tilapia and catfish, though. Higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids like the ones found in them could promote inflammation.
Turmeric
The compound in the spice that gives curry its bright orange-yellow color can affect several processes in your body, including inflammation. Studies of people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis who took supplements of curcumin found they could walk better and without the side effects of taking drugs. Black pepper can help with absorption rate. You can try to create dishes mixing several herbs and spices.
Tart Cherries
In one study, runners who drank tart cherry juice starting 7 days before a race and on race day (12 ounces, twice daily) had significantly less muscle pain than a group who swigged a similar-tasting beverage with no natural juice. It could be from the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in the fruit.
Virgin Olive Oil
Feel that peppery tingle in the back of your throat? That’s a compound called oleocanthal, and it works like ibuprofen. Extra virgin olive oil also contains lubricin, which promotes cartilage health, keeping joints moving smoothly with less pain It might help people with osteoarthritis. Stick to lower temperatures (less than 410 degrees) when you cook with olive oil so you don’t lose any of its many benefits.
Chili Peppers
Capsaicin, the part that gives chilies their heat, is well known for its painkilling properties. It is used often in creams and patches. Research also supports that eating hot peppers can prevent or reduce inflammation. The burning will also trigger the release of endorphins in the body. Endorphins block pain signals in the brain.
Mint
Peppermint oil relieves the painful cramps, gas, and bloating that are the hallmarks of irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint tea is a good soother for occasional tummy upset. In early research, Brazilian mint tea (made from the plant Hyptnis crenata) has been as effective as a prescription painkiller.
Red Wine
Early research suggests a compound in the skin of red grapes, called resveratrol, could ease the disk swelling that can lead to back pain. But don’t drink that whole bottle for your stiff bones yet. (Women, stick to one glass; men can have two.) While resveratrol is promising, we need more studies to come up with a treatment.
Evening Primrose
Usually found in stores as an oil, this flower has been linked to treating atopic dermatitis, which causes chronic itchy skin. Evening primrose oil has also been found to treat rheumatoid arthritis and PMS Symptoms.