We deal with pain all the time. It could be as simple as a headache now and then. It’s no big deal. It’s nothing that a tablet of pain reliever can’t cure. We experience muscle or joint pain when we strain our bodies from exercising. It’s also nothing to worry about.
But dealing with pain like this daily is a whole other matter. Unfortunately, some of us have to face various types of chronic pain every day. We manage through proper medication and therapy. But those aren’t the only measures for pain management. Besides, relying on medication too much can lead to dangerous consequences.
We want to make sure that our medication intake doesn’t go to waste. We also want to make sure that our sessions for chiropractic therapy for neck pain have long-lasting effects. Pain daily affects our mental health, productivity, and even relationships. To take care of ourselves as we deal with chronic pain, we can improve our diet.
Evidence of a Healthy Diet’s Positive Impact on Chronic Pain
Arthritis is one of the leading struggles of middle-aged people. It occurs when a person’s joints are inflamed. This results in stiffness, disability, and, of course, pain. It could severely affect a person’s mobility and life in general. Studies concluded that people who avoided food such as dairy products, red meat, and caffeine experienced improved arthritis.
Another study shows how an improved diet helped in managing chronic spinal pain. Spinal pain refers to pain in the neck, back, and hip. Fifty percent to eighty percent of adults suffer from it. They experience severe effects on their quality of life. Researchers found that adults who reported chronic spinal pain maintain poor diets high on salt, fat, and sugar.
Another study also found that maintaining a plant-based diet helps in alleviating chronic pain. Researchers studied nine patients. Seven of them reported that becoming vegetarian or vegan made it easier for them to manage pain. This is because plant-based diets are high on calcium, folate, magnesium, vitamin B6, and zinc. These are some nutrients that help in managing pain.
Now that you know there’s been definitive proof that a healthy diet can help improve our chronic pain, here are some foods that you should eat. Each has its own set of nutrients, but they all generally help take away some of your pain daily.
Beans and Nuts
Beans are high on antioxidants. Many experts stated that antioxidants help with reducing inflammation and pain. They also help in fighting the effects of free radicals. These can cause damage to the cells and later lead to diseases.
Nut, on the other hand, are high on omega-3 fatty acids. These also help in reducing inflammation and pain. Walnuts, in particular, are beneficial to those who want to experience less pain.
Fish
Like nuts, fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These help lessen joint swelling and pain. It also prevents other serious conditions such as heart diseases. To get optimal levels of omega-3, you can eat salmon, tuna, mackerel, and other types of fatty fish. If you don’t see yourself as a vegetarian or vegan, eating fish instead is a great alternative to meat and poultry.
Spices
Turmeric, in particular, is a well-known natural painkiller. It’s high on nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, and fiber. It has the compound curcumin, which is also quite high on antioxidants, much like beans. With the right amount, curcumin can even be a more powerful painkiller than over-the-counter medication. You might enjoy the benefits of turmeric by drinking it as tea.
Tea
Speaking of tea, you can also drink other types of it to help you fight chronic pain. For example, green tea has epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that performs the same tasks as antioxidants. It prevents free radicals in the body, which leads to reduced pain. Black tea also eliminates free radicals because it contains hearubigins and theaflavin.
Berries
Blueberries, in particular, are very beneficial to those dealing with chronic pain. It’s because it also has high levels of antioxidants. It specifically has the antioxidant, anthocyanins, which gives the berry its distinctive blue color. You can add blueberries to your smoothie, acai bowl, or oatmeal to get your dose of antioxidants.
Fighting chronic pain is a long and exhausting battle with your own body. Many of us suffer from it, but we can combat it with healthy foods that cleanse our bodies, give us vitamins and minerals, and reduce the pain we experience.
