Foods that can help ease pain

Living with pain is hard but there are some foods that can help ease pain, particularly those struggling with aches and pains in their muscles and joints.

I was chatting with my Mum recently and she was raving about the healing powers of banana peel on our skin. I had heard about this years ago but hadn’t really thought about it any further.

Here are some other foods that can help ease pain.

Ginger

This is one of my favourite spices. It has got some seriously impressive anti-inflammatory powers. A study carried out by the University of Miami found that ginger extract can be as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen in helping relieve osteoarthritis pain, while also helping ease muscle aches.

Turmeric

I love a good curry and this common ingredient in curries is packed full of curcumin, which has many health-enhancing benefits. Like ginger, turmeric is used a lot in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to treat pain.

Cherries

I have to admit this is a new one for me. It turns out cherries can be a valuable addition to your diet if you suffer from chronic pain. They are packed full of anthocyanin antioxidants, with several studies confirming that they can be as effective as some NSAIDs in relieving pain. Consuming cherries regularly can also help relieve aching muscles after exercise. They can also lower the risk of gout.

Pomegranates

Pomegranate seeds boast a variety of pain-fighting qualities. Like cherries, they contain anthocyanin antioxidants which help reduce inflammation in the body. They also contain ellagitannin antioxidants. These have been shown to treat pain as effectively as some NSAIDs.

Pineapples

Another favourite of mine. Pineapples contain bromelain, which multiple studies have identified as being effective at relieving pain in your muscles and joints. It is also meant to be good at helping with osteoarthritic pain and has been proven to ease cramps linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

So there are some foods that can help ease pain in your joints and muscles. You will also find some interesting information about eating to boost your immune system in this article.

As always, if you are struggling with muscle or joint pain please get in touch. Our osteopaths are highly qualified and fully insured so you are in good hands. There is lots of helpful information and advice on the website.

You’ll also find more information on the NHS website

Thanks for reading 🙂