Fight Your Pain With Natural Food

 

Millions of people suffer from chronic pain and often resort to medication to relieve it. Painkillers can relieve pain, but overuse can lead to unwanted side effects and long-term problems. 

You may be surprised at the list of foods that relieve pain. From fruits like red grapes and cherries, to herbs and spices like ginger and turmeric, to fish, soy products, and even coffee, relief can be found in some of the most affordable and healthy foods. 

 

Ginger

 Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve many conditions, such as migraines, muscle pain, and arthritis. Also ginger, long used as a digestive aid, is also an effective pain reliever. According to a six-week study conducted at the University of Miami, nearly two-thirds of patients with chronic knee pain reported less pain when they stood up after taking ginger extract. Those who received ginger also reported less pain after walking 50 feet than those who received a placebo and required less pain medication. New research shows that ginger may also help fight pain after exercise.

 

Cinnamon

 has numerous health benefits. The main benefits are relief from colds, coughs, and sore throats; digestive disorders; and arthritis.

 

Turmeric

Turmeric is the spice responsible for the characteristic yellow hue and distinctive flavor of curry. it contains a compound called curcumin, an antioxidant that protects the body from cell-damaging free radicals. Its ability to reduce swelling and inflammation has also been extensively researched.

 

Red grapes

This colorful fruit contains resveratrol, a powerful compound that blocks enzymes that promote tissue degeneration. In laboratory experiments at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, resveratrol prevented cartilage damage that causes back pain.

Although the studies are preliminary, feel free to eat foods rich in resveratrol, such as blueberries and cranberries, which also contain other powerful antioxidants. 

 

Cherry

High levels of antioxidants called anthocyanins are a key factor in the pain-relieving effects of cherries. In a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, participants who ate 45 Bing cherries daily for 28 days experienced a significant decrease in inflammation. A study conducted at Johns Hopkins University in which anthocyanins from cherries were administered to rats suggests that anthocyanins may also protect against arthritis pain. Preliminary, unpublished data from the Baylor Research Institute in Dallas also showed that cherry tablets relieved pain and improved function in more than 50% of osteoarthritis patients within eight weeks.

 

Cayenne Pepper

 Cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties and has been proven to relieve migraines, joint and nerve pain, and treat cramps naturally.

 

Coffee/caffeine

Have you ever wondered why over-the-counter medications contain caffeine? Studies have shown that caffeine increases the effectiveness of common pain relievers such as aspirin and paracetamol. However, recent findings indicate that caffeine itself has analgesic properties, at least for exercise-related pain.

Attention to pain management

The natural pain relievers described above may only be effective for certain pain conditions and may not be appropriate for everyone.

However, these natural options may offer at least some possibilities that you can try alone or in combination with prescription or over-the-counter medications.