Added Sugars
Apart from the fact that limiting added sugars is beneficial for everyone, this practice is more beneficial to those with arthritis. Foods like candy, sugary sodas, desserts, and seemingly harmless items like barbecue sauce or salad dressings can exacerbate arthritis symptoms.
Individuals with RA have reported sugar-sweetened soda and desserts as notable culprits that worsened their condition in an analysis of the Survey Results From a Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry. [2]
Highly Processed Foods
The farther your food is from the source, the more you can expect it to be bad for you. Ultra-processed foods, prevalent in fast food joints and shelves lined with breakfast cereals and baked goods, are laden with refined grains, added sugars, and preservatives.
Eating such foods may contribute to increased inflammation and obesity, both potential risk factors for arthritis. The sheer force of your weight on your knees and ankles can contribute to the daily wear and tear of your joints.
Notably, a 2023 study found that a diet rich in ultra-processed foods not only aggravated arthritis symptoms but also elevated heart disease risk factors in individuals with RA. [3]
