There are lots of lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce chronic pain. Making alterations to your diet could be one way to help fight pains and aches. On top of reducing certain foods that cause inflammation, you may be able to reduce pain by introducing new foods. Below are just a few examples of foods that may actively help to reduce pain.
Herbs and spices
Many herbs and spices have been shown to reduce inflammation or numb pain signals. A few examples include:
- Turmeric: Turmeric contains an ingredient called curcumin, which can be as effective as ibuprofen for reducing pain.
- Ginger: Ginger is known to help aid digestion and reduce nausea – and can be effective at reducing a stomach ache because of this.Â
- Cloves: Cloves contain a natural numbing agent called eugenol and rubbing them on your gums can be a great natural remedy to toothache.Â
- Cinnamon: Many people with arthritis have reported that cinnamon has pain-relieving qualities due to its anti-inflammatory chemicals.Â
- Chamomile: Studies show that chamomile relaxes the uterus and muscle spasms – it can therefore be effective at fighting menstrual cramps and DOMS.Â
Incorporating these herbs and spices into dishes may help to fight pain. You can also try consuming many of these herbs and spices by themselves – either as a tea or by chewing on raw leaves.
Fatty fish
Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are full of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients have many health benefits including reducing inflammation around the body and maintaining synovial fluid within joints. As a result, a diet that incorporates fatty fish can help to reduce many forms of chronic pain – particularly joint pain.Â
Tart cherries
Many fruits have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Tart cherries are particularly high in anthocyanins (the chemicals that reduce inflammation) and are sometimes recommended as a treatment to post-workout muscle soreness. You can consume tart cherries or drink tart cherry juice to receive this benefit.
Cannabis edibles
Cannabis has potent pain relieving qualities and as a result more places around the world are legalising it for medicinal use. While smoking cannabis is the most popular method of ingesting it, consuming cannabis can be healthier. Because cannabis doesn’t taste great on its own, it is often mixed into other foods to create ‘edibles’. You can order edibles online or make your own. Be wary that edibles take longer to take effect and can be more potent – so limit your dose at first.
Chilli peppers
Chilli peppers contain a chemical called capsaicin that triggers our pain receptors. This is what gives them their spicy kick. However, chilli peppers can also be used to reduce pain. On top of having anti-inflammatory qualities, chillies can redirect pain signals away from other parts of the body to our mouth. Of course, if you don’t like the burn that chilli creates in the mouth, it may not be worth the trade-off. However, if you like spicy food, you could find that the spicy kick is worth the numbing effect that capsaicin has on the rest of the body.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
