1014017.largeChronic pain can really deter you from doing even your routine activities. Anyone who suffers from any kind of chronic pain can surely tell you how difficult it is sometimes to get up from the bed in the morning because back or knee or neck has ‘pins’ in it.

Yes…it’s difficult to take the first step in the morning when you have a spur in your heel. But one has to live with it and beyond it.You are what you eat is what most say; and it’s true to a certain extent. Your eating habits attribute a lot to your attitude. Therefore I advise my clients to have a balanced diet.

When you have a lot of ailments, popping pills for every ache and pain can leave you feeling like a walking drugstore, so it’s no wonder that some of us would rather brave through a headache than take a pill. But can you fight aches and pains naturally with foods—without medication? While over-the-counter and prescription medications definitely serve a purpose, we have found science that shows you can get some pain-fighting effects from food.

Believe it or not, those healthy fruits, veggies, and whole grains we try to pack in our diets may do more than just feed our bodies well—many of them are considered to have anti-inflammatory properties. Sometimes inflammation is a good thing, we’ll give you that—it protects our body when we’ve been injured—but it can also be painful. (Think asthma and arthritis, inflamed sore throats, and cuts or scrapes.) While some have linked certain foods (including chocolate, eggs, wheat, meat, and corn) to causing inflammation, there’s also evidence that a few select delectables could help prevent it, too.

Below are some of the top foods that can help you with fighting pain:

 

Tart Cherries
Turns out tart cherries are good for more than causing a pucker face. Studies have found they can help treat gout (a painful form of arthritis that causes swollen, hot, red joints caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood)   . But it’s not just for gout—athletes can benefit, too. In one study, those who drank tart cherry juice for seven days prior to an intense running event showed reduced muscle-pain after the race   . Drink up!

 

Echinacea and Sage
Got an aching throat? Some research shows that throat sprays containing sage or echinacea can help provide relief from that nasty sore throat  , though there have been few other studies on this benefit, so the evidence isn’t hulk strong. Another survey looking at 14 different studies found that echinacea can decrease the number of cold infections caught, and reduce their durations  . Sage is easy to find at most grocery stores and is also especially tasty in any of these recipes, while echinacea is more commonly found in pill and ointment form. When choosing to take a supplement like echinacea, be aware: Supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so manufacturers can often get away with making unproven claims about both the contents of the pills and the benefits of those contents.

 

Oranges
While vitamin C has been linked to helping prevent the onset of colds and respiratory infections, an antioxidant called beta-cryptoxanthin, found in oranges and other orange fruits and veggies such as sweet potato and cantaloupe, has been found to help reduce the risk of anti-inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis  . Another reason to get out that juicer and start making fresh OJ each day. (Or, you know, just eat an orange.)

 

Evening Primrose
Usually found as an oil, this flower’s powers have been linked to treating atopic dermatitis (a chronic itchy skin condition), rheumatoid arthritis, and PMS symptoms   . The gamma-inolenic acid in the oil has anti-coagulant effects that may help reduce the effects of cardiovascular illnesses  .

Ginger
We are blessed with the best spices in India. Use them. Ginger is the best pain killer having analgesic properties like the popular ibuprofen. It contains a quartet, gingerols, paradols, shogaols, and zingerone which are active ingredients to reduce pain. Drink ginger tea in monsoons and winter to get relief from that recurring pain.

Turmeric
Another popular Indian spice is turmeric. Also a ginger family member, it’s powder is used in all vegetables and curries. It contains curcumin that helps nip pain

Olive oil
Olive oil is like liquid gold or elixir when it comes to fighting pain. It is rich in antioxidant polyphenols that help reduce common pain-causing mechanism in the body. Olive oil is also a good substitute for butter, which is high in saturated fat, that erodes bone strength and trigger pain. But use it carefully as it has 120 calories per tablespoon.

Salmon and mackerel
Not so easily available in India, but most restaurants now serve salmon. It is rich in pain-busting omega-3 fatty acids and a great source of another pain fighter: vitamin D. Other fish rich in omega 3 is mackerel, but it is harmful for people having uric acid problems. So it’s best to stick to salmon.

Nuts
Almonds, walnuts are great source of omega 3 fatty acids and anti oxidants that help in pain control. Add these nuts to your salad or just munch on a handful as an afternoon snack.

Strawberries
Strawberries are full of vitamin C, an antioxidant with powerful pain-reducing properties, according to research. Some studies suggest vitamin C may help people experience less pain after breaking a bone or having orthopedic surgery.

Greens
Greens like spinach, amaranth, fenufreek leaves, argula not only have high iron content, but are horders of Vitamin K that helps maintain strong bones and healthy joints. A study shows that older adults with ample blood levels of K were less likely to develop osteoarthritis, compared to a low-in-K control group. However, Vitamin K also helps with blood clotting, so if you’re taking blood thinners, check with your doc before boosting your K intake.

Dairy
You might not believe, but dairy products like yogurt and cheese can help reduce pain. They contain two bone-building nutrients – calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D can diminish chronic pain according to research findings.

Glass of wine
Resveratrol in wine, grapes, and grape juice can often have an analgesic effect similar to aspirin, according to a handful of studies. Experts, in any case, recommend one daily glass of wine for women. Men can get away with one more. But, remember not to go overboard as wine’s alcohol content can be dangerous. You can get resveratrol also by eating red grapes or sipping grape juice.

Let’s try adding these top foods to our diet and fight the pains!

 

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