Arthritis is the inflammation and swelling of one or more joints that affect not only the elderly but people of all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms of arthritis could worsen over time as the person ages. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, Mayo Clinic reported.

Osteoarthritis could cause the cartilage to break down, while rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the joints, which begins in the lining of the joints.

Meanwhile, another form of arthritis is called gout. It happens when there is too much uric acid in the blood, forming uric acid crystals in the joints. On the other hand, some underlying diseases, like psoriasis or lupus, can cause other types of arthritis.

Doctors typically recommend taking medicine and practicing therapeutic exercises to relieve the pain. However, pain could be avoided as long as the person also avoids these type of foods, according to IOL:

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Gluten and Casein

According to the Arthritis Foundation, gluten- and casein-sensitive people should avoid foods rich in these substances. Joint pain and inflammation are common symptoms for those with celiac disease (CD), which could lead to developing arthritis. Doctors argue that avoiding gluten- and casein-rich foods could help relieve joint pains.

Gluten could be found in wheat, barley, and rye. on the other hand, casein is mostly found in dairy products.

Processed Sugar

Registered dietitian nutritionist Jen Bruning, MS, RD, told The Global Healthy Living Foundation that consuming a lot of p[processed sugar could cause the body to release pro-inflammatory proteins called cytokines that cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.

A paper entitled "Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)" published in Intech Open showed that the release of cytokines could cause synovial inflammation. In addition, it could also promote the development of systemic effects like anemia, cardiovascular disease, fatigue, and depression.

Examples of processed sugar are table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Highly Processed Foods

Highly processed foods, like breakfast cereal, fast food, and baked goods, have high refined grains, added sugar, and preservatives content, as well as other inflammatory ingredients that could worsen symptoms of arthritis, according to Healthline.

Studies show that Western diets, composed of heavily processed foods, could increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis as it contributes to inflammation and risk factors, like obesity.

What Food Should You Eat If You Have Arthritis?

According to Express.co.uk, eating certain types of food and spices could help relieve joint pain associated with arthritis. Joint pains are largely linked to inflammation, so adding anti-inflammatory foods could relieve the pain as it blocks the inflammation from developing.

These anti-inflammatory spices could include ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon that work against joint pain, according to Arthritis Foundation. Other foods good for joint health are salmon, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

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