What food is harmful to joints and cartilage – 8 prohibited foods

Joints, cartilages and ligaments are complex anatomical formations responsible for the implementation of motor actions.

Unfortunately, various diseases disrupt the work of these structures and lead to severe disability, labor and social maladjustment.

According to statistics , among Russians over the age of 50, 38% of men and 17% of women suffer from joint lesions of inflammatory etiology (arthritis).

The health of the musculoskeletal elements directly depends not only on lifestyle, but also on individual foods, the abuse of which can increase the risk of developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Below we have reviewed a list of 8 products that, according to the scientific community, are harmful to human joints and cartilage. They should be limited or completely removed from the diet.

Recall that in the last article we have already considered 11 foods that are good for joints .

1. Sugar and refined carbohydrates

Increased consumption of sweets, cakes, pastries, semi-finished products, as well as white flour pastries contributes to the development of autoimmune diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the most common of which is rheumatoid arthritis.

The results of one of the major studies showed that sugar consumption is directly related to the development of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, the independence of this effect from lifestyle and exposure to external risk factors has been proven.

In order to prevent arthritis, as well as to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory joint damage, it is recommended to limit foods with a high sugar content as much as possible.

2. Dairy products

Milk is an extremely useful product, containing a large set of useful macro- and microelements, as well as essential amino acids.

However, lately more and more scientific research reveal a direct relationship between the amount of dairy products consumed and the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis. As an example, vegetarians can be cited, in whom joint pathologies are 1.5 times less common than in the average population.

Chinese scientists connect the development of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with the presence of a latent allergy to milk and egg proteins.

The latest research indicates a direct link between dairy consumption and joint diseases. In the presence of arthritis, it is better to get proteins from alternative foods. Vegetables (spinach), legumes, lentils are ideal.

3. Alcohol

It has long been known about the harm of alcohol to the liver , brain, cardiovascular system.

However, the abuse of alcoholic beverages can lead to a lot of problems with the musculoskeletal system. Ethanol has a direct cytotoxic effect on chondrocytes, destroying them, and also disrupts the adequate release of inflammatory mediators.

Experiments on mice demonstrate that in individuals who were given ethanol, damage to the area of articular cartilage and osteophyte growth is noted (osteoarthritis develops).

Beer is especially harmful, as well as various beer drinks. The amount of their consumption, according to scientists, is closely related to the frequency of manifestation and the severity of the course of gout.

It is recommended to reduce alcohol consumption to standard levels (15 ml of pure ethanol per day for women, 30 ml for men) in order to preserve the integrity of the musculoskeletal system for many years.

4. Salt and preservatives

Large doses of salt, preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers are added to modern food products, which are necessary to give an aesthetic appearance and prolong shelf life.

Unfortunately, such a set of elements negatively affects the functioning of not only the joints, but also the entire body as a whole ( immunity decreases , the frequency of allergic and autoimmune pathologies, malignant cell transformations increases).

An experiment on mice conducted by scientists from Korea showed that salt intake can not only initiate the development of arthritis, but also causes a severe course of pathology. The effect of sodium chloride is associated with the suppression of type 17 T-helper cells.

People suffering from arthritis, as well as those with a hereditary predisposition to it, are recommended to limit table salt in their diet as much as possible. You should also carefully study the product labels before purchasing.

5. Corn oil

Many modern bakery products contain corn and other oils, which have a high concentration of omega-6 fatty acids. These fats cause the development of inflammatory changes in joint tissues, initiate an active inflammatory process.

Omega-6 fatty acids should be replaced with omega-3. According to research , omega-3 fatty acids reduce the effect of cytokines, improve symptoms during arthritis.

It is preferable to use oils obtained from flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, olives. They contain a huge amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

In order to prevent the development of arthritis, it is necessary to replace omega-6 fatty acids in the diet with more useful omega-3 fats.

6. Meat

Of course, meat is extremely necessary for the body to replenish its reserves of nutrients and obtain energy.

However, according to the scientific community , increased consumption of meat products contributes to the development of gout, a severe joint disease caused by impaired metabolism of purine bases.

Excessive intake of meat products into the body is one of the leading causes of gout.

The daily norm of protein for the human body is 1.5-2.5 g /kg of body weight per day. When consuming an increased amount of protein, the likelihood of developing gout increases by 21%.

It is necessary to adhere to the established protein intake rate in order to prevent the development of gout.

7. Fruit juices

One of the major meta-analyses revealed that women who consumed 2 cans of carbonated drinks or 360 ml of orange juice daily had a high risk of developing gout (2 times more than the average in the population).

Using about 180 ml of fruit juice per day increases the incidence of gout by 71%.

The reason is the significant fructose content in ripe fruits (apples and oranges are the leaders). Fructose contributes to metabolic disorders and the clinical manifestation of gout.

In addition, excessive consumption of juices may lead to the development of:

Hypertension;
Atherosclerosis;
Of fatty hepatosis.

It is recommended not to overuse fruit juices (especially orange or apple). The maximum allowable rate is 200 ml once every 2-3 days.

8. Fried foods

Products prepared as a result of prolonged heat treatment or frying in oil have a lot of negative properties: they contribute to the development of obesity, atherosclerosis, and increase the risk of fatal cardiovascular complications.

The musculoskeletal system was not left out either.

Taiwanese scientists noted that people who abuse fried foods are more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

It is necessary to reduce the consumption of fried and processed foods (semi-finished products). It is important to include more whole vegetables and fruits in the diet.

5 More Nutrition Recommendations

In order to maintain the anatomical and functional integrity of the articular apparatus, as well as to prevent various diseases, it is recommended to follow these diet rules:

Drink an adequate amount of water. WHO recommends drinking about 1.5-2 liters of clean water per day. Exceeding the standard is fraught with the development of edema (especially in people with cardiovascular pathologies) and compression of joint tissues with subsequent deformation. But low water consumption is fraught with a violation of trophic and synthesis of intraarticular fluid, which will lead to excessive mechanical friction of articular surfaces.
Don't overeat. Overeating provokes obesity, which contributes to excessive stress on the musculoskeletal system.
Give up foods with a lot of chemical additives. Preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers increase appetite, cause allergic and autoimmune disorders, and increase the risk of developing cancer.
Fry less. Prolonged thermal exposure, especially frying in oil, reduces the number of beneficial trace elements and vitamins in food.
Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Fresh greens (lettuce leaves, spinach), as well as fruits and vegetables (in reasonable quantities) help to fill the deficit of all vital elements necessary for the proper functioning of the joints.

Conclusion

Thus, proper nutrition and the exclusion of harmful products can prevent many deviations from the joints, as well as preserve the anatomical integrity of the cartilaginous articular surfaces for many years.