Dealing with pain is something many people have to put up with as they age and while many turn to medicine to reduce the problem, health experts now say there are other alternatives.
After years of research, experts say there are a number of foods that are proven to reduce pain and inflammation in the body, meaning people can skip another trip to the doctor and another bottle of pills.
GINGER
Not only is ginger great for fighting colds and boosting immune health, it’s also a powerful aid in pain relief. Ginger injections have been shown to help reduce osteoarthritis pain, which is a major bonus to many seniors in particular.
TURMERIC
The benefits of turmeric have been known for a while now, with many studies proving it is effective for aching joint reducing painful swelling. One study also found that it significantly reduces pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, and may be as effective as ibuprofen. While you can easily add turmeric to curries and other spicy dishes, there are also suggestions that adding it to a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon and honey is beneficial.
CAYENNE PEPPER
Cayenne pepper comes in a number of forms and is known to contain the powerful anti-inflammatory capsaicin. Capsaicin reduces the key chemical that sends pain signals to the brain from the local nervous system, so you feel less pain in the end.
CHERRIES
Cherries are full of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and inhibit pain enzymes in the same way pain medications, such as aspirin, do. Studies have found that people who drink tart cherry juice before high intensity exercise have less muscle pain afterwards and an easier recovery.
BLUEBERRIES
They’ve been in the limelight for years now thanks to their high antioxidant content, but they are also known to increase levels of compounds known as heat shock proteins in the body. They are powerful on the fibre front too, as they contain insoluble fibre, which stays intact in the intestines and helps promote water retention and easier bowel movement.
CELERY SEEDS
Researchers have found that celery seeds can help fight against pain caused by arthritis and gout as they reduce inflammation and lower uric acid levels in the body. This is good news for anyone who has to take medication to lower uric acid as it often causes uncomfortable side effects such as nausea, vomiting, ulcers and bleeding.