Diet changes has been show to decrease pain.
Pain comes in all forms. From back pain to joint pain, all sufferers are looking for some sort of relief. Many often turn to pain medications, however new research has found that what you eat can help with pain equally if not more than drugs. “A number of foods have powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that may be as effective as some prescription medicines,” says Beth Reardon, M.S., R.D., a nutritionist at Duke Integrative Medicine at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
All of these pain-fighting foods can be found at your local grocery store, and they are simple to incorporate in your diet. Take a look at some of foods in the list below. Like what you see? Download the complete grocery list below.
Grab some Grapes
The chemical resveratrol, naturally found in the skins of grapes (particularly red grapes), in mulberries, nuts and wine may have an analgesic effect similar to aspirin, according to a handful of animal studies. In the lab, it has been shown to stop certain cells in the body from responding to the signals of inflammation, suggesting that it could ultimately help fight pain.
Seek out Soy
An Oklahoma State University study found that consuming 40 grams of soy protein daily for three months slashed patients’ use of pain medication in half. The relief lies in soy’s isoflavones, a plant hormones with anti-inflammatory properties/.
Spice it Up with Turmeric and Ginger
Turmeric is a spice that gives curry and other Indian foods their unique yellow color. It also seems to have anti-inflammatory effects and has been studied as a possible way to ease the chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis. Ginger has been found to contain compounds that fight inflammation, which often causes pain. Daily doses of raw or heat-treated ginger effectively relieve muscle aches and discomfort — and that includes even severe pain following strenuous exercise.
Go Fishin’
In a study at the University of Pittsburgh of 250 patients experiencing neck and back pain, 60% experienced an improvement in their overall pain after three months of consuming omega-3, found in oily fish. This result aligns with other studies that show that fish oil has an anti-inflammatory effect. Fish is not the only source of omega-3 it can also be found in flaxseed/linseed oil and in other nuts and seeds but the long chain omega-3 found in fish are said to be the most potent.
Get your Daily Dose of Caffeine
In a recently published study, researchers found that even low doses of caffeine (about 100 milligrams, equivalent to one cup of joe) can help reduce the perception of pain during a painful and exhausting task.
*Please consult your physician/dietitian for dietary needs specific for your condition.
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