TOP FOODS AND DRINKS TO HELP ALLEVIATE PAIN AND INFLAMMATION…

We all know we should follow a heathy diet and lifestyle to stay fit but when you are fighting chronic pain its easy to slip into an unhealthy way of eating.

However, there are lots of foods, supplements and drinks you can pop into your diet that can help with that pain and then help you focus on a healthy diet and lifestyle. Here are some top foods and drinks that could help with pain/inflammation and general health.

Honey has natural anti-fungal and antibacetrial properties.

Garlic has natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties as well.

Tumeric acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Ginger has been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for intestinal discomfort and flatulence, as well as for inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and rheumatism. There is also a great article ‘Ginger as a form of Muscle Pain Relief‘ on Back Pain Blog UK.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, which helps infection-fighting white blood cell activity.

Flaxseed Oil and Rapeseed Oil as a small study suggests it may help reduce inflammation.

Dandelion helps with fluid retention.

Peppers for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

Chamomile tea as it helps you relax and sleep better.

Echinacea white tea as it helps keeps cold symptoms at bay and your immune system improved.

Lavender tea as it helps you to de-stress.

Oily fish as they contain Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation.

Walnuts as they also contain Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation.

Some well known herbal agents for pain are skullcap, valerian, tumeric, poppy, willow bark, St. John’s wort, angelica, motherwart, black cohosh, wild yam, lavender, cayenne, kava kava and rose.

Essential oils of pine, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, rose, clove, frankincense, rosemary, ginger, juniper and birch are all well documented analgesic agents.

In China, herbalists use bupleurum, ginseng and licorice to reduce and relieve pain resulting from inflammation and cat’s claw, a herb grown in South America has been found to reduce inflammation and researchers have discovered that it contains anti-arthritic compounds.

Rooibus Tea for anti-inflammatory benefits and as an antioxident.

An article on To Better Days says that ‘Garlic was found to reduce the chance of developing hip osteoarthritis in this study. This flavourful bulb is packed with tonnes of good stuff, which is even believed to improve the function of some immune cells.’

Broccoli, Berries, Avocados, and Grapes as they can reduce the production of key inflammatory markers.

Green Tea for its many benefits which are due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, especially a substance called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

To reduce levels of inflammation, aim for an overall healthy diet. If you’re looking for an eating plan that closely follows the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating, consider the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils.