Foods That Cause Arthritis Pain: What About the Mediterranean Diet?

The New York Times reported in an article on Friday, 8/28/09 that there were a growing number of studies suggesting that eating certain foods can help ease arthritis pain--and avoiding other foods can help prevent it. Evidence isn't 100% certain on this topic, but there seems to be enough research to determine that there's probably a connection between diet and rheumatoid arthritis discomfort. 

Foods that are staples of the so-called "Mediterranean diets" are among those that seem to reduce arthritis--or at least not aggravate it by triggering inflammation that results in arthritis pain. The Mediterranean diet includes healthy portions of fruits, vegetables, grains, fish and olive oil. the Times articles cited data culled from 15 studies and more than 800 participants.

Fish oil capsules, which are readily available in the vitamin section of any grocery or health food store, has anti-inflammatory properties and seem to help relieve arthritis pain.

Meanwhile, however, some people believe that plants from the nightshade family--tomatoes, potatoes and certain peppers--tend to cause arthritis flare ups. There is no creditable research, however, proving this to be the case.