Arthritis is one of the most common illnesses all over the world. In the United States alone, statistics indicate that one in every five people is affected by arthritis. Fortunately, a healthy eating plan has been known to help alleviate inflammation and other symptoms associated with arthritis. Numerous studies have also found that there are a number of super fruits which are effective in treating arthritis related symptoms. Here are some of the best fruits for arthritis treatment and prevention as well as a few tips on which foods to avoid.

Fruits are great for reducing inflammation and pain linked to arthritis as they are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the body’s cells from the harmful effects of free-radicals. As such, they are a critical part of any anti-inflammation diet. Fruits such as strawberries and grapefruits are rich in vitamin C as are guava, pineapple, oranges and papayas. Other antioxidant rich foods include red apples with skin, and red or purples grapes which have notable concentrations of quercetin while papayas, oranges and watermelons are known to be rich in beta-cryptoxanthin.

When making an anti-inflammation diet composed of fruits for arthritis, a worthwhile addition would be fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries. These fruits are known to have some of the highest concentrations of chemical compounds known as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are responsible for the colors of these fruits and may appear as red, purple or blue depending on the pH. These antioxidant flavonoids have proven to be quite effective in managing inflammation and its related symptoms in patients suffering from arthritis.

A number of research studies has found that cherries are one of the best fruits for arthritis. Though all cherries present health benefits, tart cherries have the highest anti-inflammatory content found in any fruit. As such, researchers suggest that a diet rich in tart cherries could help individuals suffering from arthritis deal with inflammation symptoms. Moreover, cherries are known to protect the body against a number of other diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Studies have also found that individuals who get adequate amounts of Vitamin D have a less likely chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis. Moreover, similar studies suggest that individuals who have either of these conditions and have a Vitamin D deficiency as well, are more likely to have a worsened disability as time passes. It is recommended that one gets the basic daily requirement of Vitamin D i.e. 600 IU for individuals below the age of 70 and 800IU for individuals over 70. This amount of vitamin D is sufficient to promote physical functioning as well as the preservation of cartilage. Aside ensuring your diet has plenty of antioxidant rich fruits for arthritis, one should also supplement with foods that are rich in Vitamin D such as salmon, mackerel and egg yolks.