Foods that can negatively impact your joints

Your joints are some of the most useful parts of the body, especially if you live an active lifestyle. Things like warm-ups, stretching, and proper form when being active are essential to staying healthy. However, many people fail to realize that nutrition plays an equally important role. Certain food choices have been shown to have better healing effects than medication. Yet despite these benefits, too much of certain foods can have drastic negative effects on your body and your joints. Your overall health stems from the food you eat. If you are suffering from joint issues, a Massapequa physical therapist like Park Physical Therapy can help you.

Below are foods that cause inflammation that negatively impacts your joints:

Soda

In addition to the many ways that soda can destroy your health, the high sugar levels found in soda can cause inflammatory messengers in your body to release when consumed. Studies have shown that people who drink soda have a 63% higher chance of developing arthritis compared to people who don’t.

Foods Containing Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Chicken, eggs, food/plan oils, whole-grain bread, and nuts contain omega 6 fatty acids. These fats alone won’t hurt you. However, if the ratio of omega 6 fatty acids to omega 3 fatty acids is more than 3 to 1, these fats can cause joint inflammation.  Watch what you eat and keep track of the ratio to stay healthy.

Fried Foods

Fried foods have been known to cause joint inflammation. When food is cooked at high temperatures like those in frying oil, they release toxins that can many health issues like diabetes, arthritis, and other diseases. There are a variety of low-temperature cooking methods that can be substituted for a healthier meal such as steaming.

These foods can have drastic negative effects on your joint health however eating them with moderation while supplementing healthy foods can restore your mobility. If you have joint pain and are looking for additional help, contact Park Physical Therapy, a Massapequa physical therapist today!