If you are a victim of rheumatoid arthritis or any other inflammatory disease, it is in your best interest to add a lot of fruits and vegetables to your diet. Vegetables and fruits have certain pigments that have anti inflammatory properties. Unlike prescription drugs, they have been found to be very useful in reducing discomfort of the joints without any side effects. There is no denial that addition of anti inflammatory vegetables will not eliminate the need of prescription medication completely but they can certainly help if you continue their intake for a reasonably longer period of time.

Here are top 4 anti inflammatory vegetables that have proved themselves effective against inflammation in chronic pain and arthritis patients:

1. Winter Squash

Being a great source of beta-cryptoxanthin which is a power carotenoid. This vegetable tops the list of anti inflammatory vegetables. Once beta-cryptoxanthin goes inside the body, it gets converted to retinol which is a form of vitamin A. Studies have revealed that people who consumed high levels of beta-cryptoxanthin had the least risk of developing inflammation in joints, a condition known as inflammatory polyarthritis. Besides this, winter squash is also a great source of beta-carotene which is another carotenoid with powerful affects.

One of the easiest ways to add winter squash to your diet is by pureeing it and adding it to baked foods such as cookies and baked bread to give them an added flavor. It is also savored steamed or as an addition to soups.

2. Carrots

While it may be easy to spot carrots on a vegetable stand due to their bright red color, carrots stand out among other vegetables for more reasons than just the color. Carrots have a number of health benefits that make it a widely consumed vegetable. Carrots are rich in carotenoids which have high anti inflammatory properties. Carrots are also rich in fiber which acts as a moderator for blood sugar. In addition to the anti inflammatory properties, carrots have also been found beneficial against macular degeneration of the eye and in lowering the risk of a coronary heart disease.

3. Spinach

It may surprise most of you, but the fact is that spinach has the highest nutrient content among all vegetables. Spinach has been known to launch a three pronged offensive against inflammation. It contains beta-carotene, the same carotenoid that imparts the same benefits as carrots. Besides beta-carotene, it also contains vitamin C and vitamin K which are important vitamins. It has been revealed through research that a vitamin K1-rich diet lowered levels of 14 inflammation blood markers.

4. Onions and Garlic

These two strong odored anti inflammatory vegetables are best known for their immunity boosting properties. Onions contain quercetin and allicin which are instrumental in breaking down to produce sulfenic acid, a great free radical fighting chemical. Garlic also has similar properties against inflammation. It works in the same manner as pain killer medications such as ibuprofen.

The Bottom Line:

It stands for a fact, that addition of anti inflammatory vegetables to your diet has a number of benefits, reduction of inflammation being one of them. Anti inflammatory vegetables combined with other anti inflammatory foods and prescribed exercises can go a long way in relieving you of arthritis and joint pain.

The most important step to a healthier life is the change to a healthy diet. Get more information from the free copy of my e-book to make better choices!