Diet and Chronic Pain

How Different Foods Affect Pain & Inflammation

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or surgical procedure, pain-causing inflammation is normal during the recovery process. However, this pain-causing inflammation can persist in some instances, damaging healthy cells and leading to lasting effects long after you’ve recovered—this is called chronic inflammation.

Like most areas of your health, chronic pain and inflammation can be exacerbated by the foods you eat. However, there are certain foods you can add to your diet to fight off inflammation too. Inspired Spine is here to share the changes you can make to your diet to help you to live pain-free.

Foods to Avoid

When it comes to building a diet that helps to fight off swelling and inflammation, it’s important to know what types of food to cut back on. More often than not, the foods that contribute to unwanted aches and pains are unhealthy and processed.

Foods to limit your intake of include:

• Refined carbs
• Fried foods
• Sodas, juices, and beverages with added sugar
• Red meat
• Processed meat
• Margarine
• Shortening
• Lard

Foods that Fight Inflammation

On the opposite spectrum, there are certain foods that help to reduce and prevent swelling and inflammation. More specifically, foods with antioxidants, polyphenols, and other anti-inflammatory compounds can help to keep pain and the risk for other health issues at bay.

Foods to add to your diet that help to ward off inflammation include:

• Olive oil
• Dark leafy greens
• Fatty fish
• Berries
• Cherries
• Oranges
• Nuts
• Apples
• Whole grains
• Broccoli
• Avocados
• Mushrooms
• Grapes
• Tumeric
• Dark chocolate
• Cherries
• Coffee

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Minnesota

When it comes to aches and pains, discomfort that affects your back can be more than just an annoyance — it can negatively affect your quality of life and your independence. At Inspired Spine, our experienced and knowledgeable spinal surgeons are dedicated to relieving your chronic back pain with the least invasive treatment possible.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our spine surgeons, call (952) 225-5266 today.