Arthritis is a term used to describe the chronic inflammation, pain, redness, and tenderness of joints. Though common amongst older people, arthritis can affect everyone, including children. There are over 200 conditions that cause pain in joints and tissues around them, causing some patients to lose movement. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It affects the hands, back, hips, and knees, and can be reduced with the help of treatment and medications such as kevzara, advil, excedrin, actemra, simponi, and orencia.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune arthritis condition, caused when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include fatigue, loss of appetite, inflammation, and joint stiffness. To manage arthritis pain, one needs to maintain a healthy diet. Below are some of the snacks that you should avoid that may trigger arthritis flare ups:

1. Soda
On average, a 12 –ounce can of soda contains approximately 44 grams of sugar, which equals ten teaspoons. This exceeds the amount of sugar one is supposed to take in a day, which is nine teaspoons for men and six for women. Sugar is harmful to people who have arthritis. Sugar-sweetened soda, in particular, is known to hike the manifestation of arthritis symptoms. Studies have shown that taking one sugary drink in a day significantly increases the risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis by 63 percent.

2. Baked goods
Baked foods that contain hydrogenated oil are not suitable for people who have arthritis. The ingredient has trans fats, which causes inflammation in the body. Regular consumption of trans fats also increases the risk of one getting heart disease by elevating the levels of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) in the body and reducing the amount of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol).

3. Refined sugar
Foods rich in fructose, glucose, and sucrose may stimulate molecules in the body that cause inflammation. You should limit the intake of refined sugars by checking the ingredient labels of processed food for added sugar. Too much sugar in the diet causes weight gain and inflammation. You can always opt for sugar-free alternatives such as fruits and vegetables to cut sugar out of your diet. You should also avoid over-indulging in sweets.

4. Milk and other dairy products
Health experts recommend the intake of two to three glasses of milk daily to meet the body’s nutritional requirements. However, close to 60 percent of people worldwide do not do well with milk since they have a hard time breaking down the protein, causing inflammation. This might not be good for those who already have arthritis. On the bright side, not all dairies cause inflammation. Those containing probiotics such as kefir and Greek yogurt help in the fight against inflammation.

5. Fried foods
Omega-6 fatty acids found in fried foods cause inflammation and can possibly worsen arthritis. This is a result of the disrupted balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the body. It is, therefore, wise for people who have arthritis to avoid overindulgence in fried foods.