Arthritis is a condition that causes swelling, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints. People at any age or of any gender can get affected. Doctors suggest many medications and exercises, but very few suggest what to eat and what to avoid. Those suffering from this condition must go through this list of foods to avoid for arthritis pain.

High-sodium Frozen Meals
The top foods to avoid for arthritis pain include high-sodium frozen meals. Regular intake of foods high in sodium causes inflammation in the body. High-sodium meals can be fatal for people suffering from arthritis. Doctors suggest an intake of 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day for healthy joints and to avoid arthritis pain.

Polyunsaturated Oils
The foods to avoid for arthritis pain include those made with cooking oils such as corn, peanut, sunflower, safflower, and soy. All these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and its excessive consumption can trigger inflammatory chemicals and worsen arthritis pain.

Dairy Products
Milk-based products like cheese, butter, cream cheese, margarine, and mayonnaise are high in both saturated fats and are advanced glycation end products and are foods to avoid for arthritis pain. Consuming these products can cause inflammation. Moreover, dairy products contribute to arthritis pain and irritate the tissues around the joints. Doctors recommend a low sugar intake of up to nine teaspoons for men and six teaspoons for women.

White Rice
White rice contains refined carbohydrates that increase blood sugar levels, thus causing inflammation in the body and other arthritis-related symptoms.

Sugar and Its Alternatives
Sugar is another ingredient in most foods to avoid for arthritis pain. Pastries, cakes, chocolate, candy, soda, fruit juices, etc. are high in sugar. They trigger the release of proteins in the body called cytokines which cause inflammation. Check labels for corn syrup, fructose, sucrose, or maltose which are all forms of sugar while grocery shopping.

Fried and Processed Foods
All fried, baked, and processed foods have a common ingredient: hydrogenated oil. Avoid all of these foods as trans fats are used to preserve them, which trigger systematic inflammation. Orthopedic doctors suggest decreasing or completely avoiding fried and processed foods to reduce inflammation and help restore the body’s natural defenses.

Red Meat
Red meat contains high amounts of saturated fats, causing high cholesterol and inflammation. Meat also contains advanced glycation end products that stimulate inflammation, when it is broiled, grilled, roasted, or fried.

Refined Flour
It contains refined carbohydrates and is present in foods that we all love to eat. White pasta, white bread, and crackers have refined carbs that cause a sharp increase in blood sugar levels and increases inflammation in the body. Refined flour accentuates omega-3 deficiencies and causes inflammation in the joints.

This list of foods to avoid can helps you stave off arthritis pain and have healthy joints.