When your wrist gets sore, you don’t automatically think of food as a treatment. And maybe it’s not necessarily one, either. But it might be a preventative tool.
Managing inflammation is one of the ways to treat or prevent pain. Your diet plays a major role in inflammation in the body, and although eating a piece of fish or handful of blueberries might not diminish the pain after banging your wrist on the counter, they might help prevent painful arthritic flare-ups.
There is some evidence to suggest that an anti-inflammatory diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, may work to combat inflammatory arthritis and promote healthy joints.
Food, therefore, may reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of flare-ups.
But there is one catch: the foods must be consumed regularly. Having a handful of blueberries if your wrists lock up isn’t going to help. Instead, anti-inflammatory foods need to be featured regularly.
You’ll also want to avoid pro-inflammatory foods like sugary sweets and beverages, fried foods, and other processed foods that can lead to a strong immune response.
What are the foods that might help you? Most fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and natural whole foods will help. But here is a list of some of the best.
Data also shows they may reduce inflammatory proteins.
The best sources are salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies.