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Photo:Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Getty Images
Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Getty Images
Struggling with joint pain and stiffness? Your eating pattern could have more to do with it than you think. According to a newly published study, eating more fiber may reduce the inflammation that causes rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to develop.
What the Study Found
What did the scientists learn? They saw that the more fiber participants ate, the less likely they were to report a RA diagnosis. They used the dietary inflammatory index (DII) to chart the connection between intake and inflammation.
Surprisingly, though, solely eating lots of veggies may not be enough to reduce RA risk. The study was inconclusive about whether fruit and vegetable fiber could block RA from emerging. It was specifically cereal fiber from foods like whole grains that appeared to influence respondents’ arthritis status.
The Bottom Line
According to the study, people who ate the most cereal fiber showed a 25% reduction in RA prevalence, and they didn’t report an amount that was too much when it comes to prevention. Plus, whole grains may offer additional health benefits like more stable energy levels, better heart health and improved digestion. Try opting for whole-wheat products and whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, cornmeal, bulgur, oats or buckwheat whenever you can. We even have a guide forhow to cook whole grainsto help you get started.
Up Next:The 6 Best Fiber Supplements, According to Dietitians
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