Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that results when antibodies in your body attack healthy tissue in your body. As a result, you may experience pain, redness and swelling in your joints, including the hands, shoulder, knees, hips and more. While one single food is not attributed to worsening rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, there are foods that can possibly contribute to inflammation and pain in some instances.
Food Allergies
Different from food intolerances -- when your body does not have the proper enzymes to break down foods -- food allergies result when your immune system responds to a food as if it is a foreign invader. This kind of reaction can contribute to inflammation in your body, potentially worsening rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, according to a study conducted at the University of Oslo in Norway detailed in "Arthritis Today." To determine if a certain food may be contributing to your symptoms, try eating an inflammation diet. This includes eating basic foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meat and fish for an extended time period, about one month. As you reintroduce foods into your diet, observe if your symptoms worsen. If they do, you may wish to restrict this food in your diet.
Nightshade Vegetables
It is rumored that nightshade vegetables, which include chilies, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, contribute to arthritis inflammation, according to eMedTV. While no scientific research has linked eating nightshade vegetables with rheumatoid arthritis, it is possible that more arthritis sufferers are sensitive to nightshade vegetables. If you are following an elimination diet, you may wish to eliminate these vegetables to see if your symptoms lessen.
Acidic Foods
In addition to nightshade vegetables, other foods are associated with increased risk of food allergies. This includes citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons or limes. These foods are high in ascorbic acid or vitamin C and can be highly acidic. Many fruits also contain forms of acid, such as strawberries, cherries and grapes, that have malic acid. Avoid these foods on your elimination diet, then incorporate them again to see if your symptoms worsen.
Other Allergenic Foods
Additional foods you may wish to avoid when you have rheumatoid arthritis include sweets of which excessive intake may lead to inflammation in the body. These foods also tend to be higher in fat, which can make you gain weight and adds pressure to your painful joints. Caffeine-containing beverages like coffee also may worsen arthritis symptoms in some people. Animal protein sources, which include high-fat cuts of red meat, also can contribute to weight gain that makes arthritis symptoms more pronounced.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Do Certain Foods Worsen Symptoms?; Dr. April Chang-Miller; November 2009
- "Arthritis Today"; Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: RA and Food Allergies; Denise Lynn Mann
- The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center; Nutrition & Rheumatoid Arthritis; Cheryl Koch, CNSD
- eMedTV; Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet; Dr. Arthur Schoenstadt; November 2008
