Summer Fruits & Vegetables Arthritis Diet

Summer Fruits and Veggies to Relieve Inflammation

Summer warmth can bring relief to achy joints, and so might summer fruits and vegetables. Indulge in the flavors of the season with these fresh picks, all packed with healthful, inflammation-fighting nutrients.

Strawberries

Strawberries contain anthocyanins, which help keep inflammation at bay, says registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen. Plus, strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which has been linked with building collagen and connective tissue.

Try this: Make a summer sorbet by washing, hulling and freezing the berries, and then pureeing them. Add cacao nibs or dark chocolate bits (at least 80%cocoa) for an extra healthy crunch.

Red Bell Peppers

A study in the journal Inflammation in 2012 suggests that the flavonoid quercetin in these sweet peppers can inhibit inflammatory agents that may lead to joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), says Nielsen.

Try this: Stuff them with a sautéed mix of quinoa, beans, tomatoes and spinach.

Apricots

Apricots are rich in the plant-based chemical beta-cryptoxanthin, which studies have shown may help prevent osteoarthritis as well as inflammatory forms of arthritis. They also have high levels of magnesium, which strengthen bones and may ease pain, too.

Try this: Stuff them with goat cheese and almonds or grill and add them to tacos.

Carrots

The beta-carotene that’s plentiful in carrots lowers uric acid, which may help keep gout symptoms at bay. Carrots also have lots of collagen-building vitamin C.

Try this: Eat them with hummus, add them to coleslaw or blend them into smoothies.

Watermelon

Along with beta-cryptoxanthin, which may reduce inflammation, watermelon is a great source of bone-healthy vitamin A. It also is rich in potassium and magnesium – minerals that research from the Framingham Heart Study has linked to higher bone density.

Try this: Mix it in the blender with lemonade or iced tea or just slice it and dig in.

Summer Squash

The antioxidants – carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin C – in these summer veggies fight free-radical damage and reduce inflammation, slowing cartilage deterioration and reducing joint pain, says Jamie Mok, clinical dietitian at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in California.

Try this: Brush slices with olive oil and grill them, add them to a stir-fry, or shred and use them in baked goods.

Cherries

Anthocyanins in tart cherries help relieve osteoarthritis pain and control gout flares in some people. Sweet cherries, which also contain anthocyanins, may help reduce C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in RA and other inflammatory diseases.

Try this: Eat them fresh off the stem or add them to salads or oatmeal.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are packed with healthy antioxidants, including vitamin C, lycopene and quercetin, says registered dietitian Vandana Sheth, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, and research has linked lycopene to lower cardiovascular risks. That’s significant because people with inflammatory arthritis have higher cardiovascular risks than other people.

Try this: Chop them with basil and garlic and serve them on toasted bread as bruschetta; or use them in a fresh pasta sauce or salsa.

 

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2 thoughts on “Summer Fruits and Veggies to Relieve Inflammation

  1. In my case, I lost 10 pounds by eating 5 to 10 cherries a day. This loss was mainly due to water loss from edema in my feet and legs. Now it looks like I have to find an affordable source for cherry juice when cherry season is ovr.

  2. The night shade plants, especially tomatos, which I dearly love, cause inflamation in many. I cannot eat more than a slice or two per day or my joints respond unkindly.

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