Food and Arthritis

Foods, particularly foods to which there is a sensitivity or allergy, can cause joints to ache and deteriorate.  Although any joint can be affected, hip, knee, and ankle joints may become excruciatingly painful if these foods are eaten.  The thumb joint can also be painful.  Some people choose to eat the foods occasionally with full knowledge that their painful joints will adversely affect their sleep and ability to move for several days.  Sometimes the ankles become so painful the person has difficulty walking or may even become unable to walk for a time. 

Sugar, wheat, pork, and foods in the Nightshade Family (a botanical family) tend to exacerbate arthritic pain.  The Nightshade Family includes tomatoes, potatoes, all peppers, eggplant, and pimentos.  (Tobacco is also in the Nightshade family.)  Even potato chips can trigger pain in some people.  Peppers of all kinds (especially bell peppers and chili peppers) are problematic for many people with arthritis.  It may take 6 to 9 months of total avoidance to determine if members of the Nightshade Family are affecting arthritis.