Research published on 8th November in the Frontiers in Nutrition journal has implied that a vegan diet could be a key component in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
An author of the study, Bhawna Gupta, indicated that a number of plant-based foods are helpful in allowing patients to manage the symptoms and effects of rheumatoid arthritis, where many animal products can actually make it more difficult to cope with.
According to UPI, Gupta said in a journal news release that the ‘[r]egular consumption of specific dietary fibers, vegetables, fruits and spices, as well as the elimination of components that cause inflammation and damage, can help patients to manage the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.’
Gupta has explicitly advised that ‘[p]atients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis should switch from omnivorous diets, drinking alcohol and smoking to Mediterranean, vegan, elemental or elimination diets, as advised by their doctor or dietitian.’
The study pointed to some specific foods that proved especially effective in managing rheumatoid arthritis including, blueberries, pomegranates, whole grains, ginger, turmeric and green tea. Many of these foods have long been documented as anti-inflammatories and many are considered superfoods due to their high nutritional content.
Animal products have now been linked to a number of major diseases and many medical professionals are urging people to follow a whole foods plant based diet for better overall health, not just those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
