Friday, March 29, 2024

7 Foods That Fight Severe or Chronic Pain

MINT: Helps arthritis and muscle pain

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Many Americans can’t escape severe or chronic pain. Chronic pain affects over 100 million American adults. Suffers attempt to find alternatives to prescriptive medication to ease their pain. Research has found that eating certain foods can bring some pain relief. Always let your physician know what alternative regime you will be undertaking to make sure there aren’t any conflicts.

While chewing on peppermint leaves freshens your breath, it also has other beneficial properties. The fresh and minty menthol compound found in peppermint helps prevent muscle spasms. IBS sufferers take peppermint oil to help relieve their pain. Peppermint oil is very helpful to relieve headaches. Massage a little oil on your temples to get some relief. Peppermint oil spray can also relieve sore throat pain and reduce coughing, according to the American Cancer Society. The cool mint aroma is also very calming and refreshing.

Drinking mint tea is an excellent remedy to alleviate pain. Steep some peppermint leaves in some hot water until you get the desired strength. Substitute wintergreen leaves to get an extra boost. Wintergreen contains a compound methyl salicylate. This compound helps to inhibit the enzymes that trigger pain and inflammation.

BING CHERRIES: Helps arthritis and muscle pain

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Dark red bing cherries contain a compound anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant. This compound stops the enzyme that causes pain. It works like aspirin, according to researchers. Also, it also blocks inflammation and works like anti-inflammatory medication, such as naproxen. Individuals who ate 45 bing cherries a day for a month had a significant decrease in their inflammation levels significantly, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture study. Another study found that runners who drink a glass of cherry juice two times a day for 7 days prior to their distance run had less muscle pain afterwards.

RED GRAPES: Sore throat relief

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Viktory Panchenko

Sore and scratchy throat may be relieved after drinking some sage leave brewed tea. Sage has antiseptic and antibacterial compounds. Additionally, one study concluded that spraying a sore throat with a sage solution has a soothing effect and relieves pain.

OLIVE OIL: Reduces anti-inflammatory pain

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Dmitri Ma

People who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet (which is rich in olive oil) seem to have fewer health conditions related to inflammation, such as degenerative joint diseases or diabetes.In fact, extra-virgin olive oil might contain compounds similar to ibuprofen, making it a great oil for cooking foods or in recipes like salad dressings as part of your daily management plan when living with pain. Here’s a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient that’s comparable to over the counter pain medications. A staple of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil helps reduce the risk of strokes and some cancers.

GINGER: Relieves arthritis, migraines, and sore muscles

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Ginger is a root that can be used in flavoring dishes from stir-fry foods to gingerbread cookies. It is most often recommended for easing nausea, but in the lab it’s been found to contain compounds that fight inflammation, which often causes pain.traditional stomach soother, easing seasickness and nausea. It’s believed to work by breaking up intestinal gas and possibly blocking a receptor in the gut that induces vomiting. But there are good reasons to eat ginger even when you’re not doubled over. Another natural aspirin impersonator and anti-inflammatory, it can offer relief from migraines, arthritis pain, and muscle aches.

Though clinical studies have not shown it to be consistently effective for joint pain, there are few side effects to including ginger in your diet or consuming it in tablet form.

TUMERIC: Relieves pain in joints, colitis

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Also known as curcumin, tumeric 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.Turmeric comes in capsules if you want to try taking it for pain, but you can also include it in your cooking on a regular basis — it combines well with ginger in curries.Turmeric inhibits a protein called NF-kB; when turned on, this protein activates the body’s inflammatory response, leading to achy joints.

SAGE: Sore throat relief

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Shutterstock-Viktory Panchenko

Sore and scratchy throat may be relieved after drinking some sage leave brewed tea. Sage has antiseptic and antibacterial compounds. Additionally, one study concluded that spraying a sore throat with a sage solution has a soothing effect and relieves pain.