Many of us grew up with at least one relative who attempted to solve all our problems with food. Maybe it was a parent who baked you a cake whenever you were feeling down or a grandparent who made a four-course meal anytime you visited. While they never really helped the problem, a good meal does have a way of making us feel a little better about it.
But, as it turns out, food can help some problems, and one of those problems is chronic pain. Continue reading to learn about the foods that help you fight chronic pain.
Berries and Cherries
Tart cherries and berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries, are full of antioxidants, which help fight arthritis symptoms, in particular.
Even if your chronic pain doesn’t come from arthritis, berries and tart cherries can still reduce your pain because they contain anthocyanin. This particular variety of antioxidants helps reduce inflammation, which is a common source of pain.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are what many people call superfoods, capable of everything from improving your iron levels to helping you age gracefully. Reducing chronic pain is another benefit to add to the list.
Leafy greens contain a ton of vitamins and minerals. Especially noteworthy among them is vitamin K, which can help reduce inflammation and soothe your pain.
Salmon
Another nutrient big in the health world is omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of heart-related illnesses and promote brain development. This characteristic can potentially help protect against Alzheimer’s and dementia. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids also help fight inflammation and stiff joints.
You can find Omega-3s in cold-water fish, such as salmon. Salmon, in particular, is one of the top foods that help you fight chronic pain because it also contains potassium, another powerful pain-fighting agent.
Moon Milk
We often forget that the seasonings we use to enhance our food’s flavor also add to its nutritional value. Many seasonings can help fight the different sources of chronic pain. These include:
- Turmeric
- Cinnamon
- Pepper
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Ashwagandha
You can get all these seasonings at once by making the traditional Indian beverage, moon tea, which people have used as a natural remedy for thousands of years. This drink mixes these seasonings, along with oil and honey, into a nut or coconut milk.
Pro-Tip
If you want to add even more pain-fighting benefits to your moon tea, try adding a few drops of CBD, which is known to help fight chronic pain. Just be sure to stir well so that the oil doesn’t sit on the top.
