12 Foods for Stiff Joints

Eat these foods to deal with achy joints…

Joint problems are fairly common among athletes, bodybuilders, runners, and the elderly, but you can’t let your stiff joints get you down! If you’re worried about the health of your hips, elbows, shoulders, knees, knuckles, neck, and toes, here are a few foods you can eat to deal with the inflammation in your joints:

Grapes — Grapes contain special compounds that help to reduce inflammation, particularly in the lower back. If you’ve got a stiff, aching back, pop a handful of grapes and let the antioxidants in the grape peels go to work reducing the swelling and stiffness!
Fatty Fish –– Salmon, herring, and sardines are just three of the fish you should eat in order to keep your joints healthy. The Omega-3 fatty acids they contain will help to reduce swelling and inflammation around your joints, ensuring that you have full range of motion!
Walnuts –– Walnuts aren’t just delicious, but they’re also one of the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids for those who can’t stand fish. You’ll find that the essential fatty acids will go a long way towards alleviating the stiffness in your joints.
Pumpkin Seeds –– Yet another great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, pumpkin seeds will help to improve your joint health and reduce pain. Eating these seeds is one of the best ways to get more Omega-3s in your diet, as they’re a wonderful addition to just about any salad.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Olives contain oleocanthal, a compound that helps to block the enzymes that lead to inflammation in your body–particularly in your joints. It’s estimated that just three tablespoons of olive oil have the same effect on your joints as a tiny dose of Ibuprofen, helping to reduce swelling and alleviate stiffness.
Colored Bell Peppers –– The brighter the color, the healthier the pepper! Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers can do wonders for your joints, as they contain a lot of Vitamin C. Vitamin C produces collagen, which is needed to keep your joints healthy and flexible.

READ MORE: Health Benefits of Juniper Berries

Citrus Fruits –– Studies have found that 1,500 mg of Vitamin C per day reduces the risk of gout by 45%, so it’s a good idea to eat more citrus fruits if you’re worried about uric acid crystals forming in your hands and feet. (Note: Citrus fruits are BAD if you suffer from osteoarthritis.)
Wheat Germ –– Wheat germ is an excellent source of selenium, a mineral that can help to slow the progression of arthritis and reduce the pain in your joints. You can eat a spoonful or two of the stuff in your morning cereal to give your joints a break.
Cherries — The tarter the better! Cherries are rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants that can help to reduce swelling and pain in your joints. Studies have proven that a diet rich in cherries can help to reduce swelling by as much as 50%, and can cause a 20% improvement in cases of osteoarthritis.
Green Tea –– The antioxidants in green tea aren’t just great for weight loss and cancer-fighting, but they can help to reduce swelling and the severity of arthritis pain. Anywhere from 1 to 4 cups per day is the right dosage!
Carrots –– Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which helps to reduce inflammation in the body–particularly around your joints. Pumpkin, squash, and sweet potatoes are other sources of the nutrient, but there’s nothing quite like a crunchy carrot!
Ginger –– Ginger is loaded with the compound zingerone, which works like aspirin or Ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling in your joints.