food in assoCiation WitH HeaLtHspan Busting the food myths Ever been told that cider vinegar can relieve pain, or dairy is bad for arthritis? Read on to discover more about these common food myths Myth #1: cutting out citrus foods will help arthritis Myth #2: removing dairy from the diet will relieve arthritis Myth #3: arthritis is aggravated by plants from the nightshade family Myth #4: fasting helps to relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis There is no evidence that cutting out these foods will help to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C, which may actually be of benefit to people with arthritis, given itsrole in the production of collagen, which is the main structural protein found in cartilage. While there is no substantial evidence to support this claim, a very small percentage of people may experience a reduction in arthritis symptoms but this is more likely to be the result of lactose intolerance. Dairy foods provide a valuable source of bone-friendly minerals, calcium and vitamin D, so it is better to include them as part of a balanced diet. These include aubergines, tomatoes and peppers, which contain a chemical called solanine, which has been associated with arthritis pain. However, as yet, there is no research to back this up. These veggies are brilliant sources of powerful antioxidants, which help to reduce the oxidative stress caused by the free radicals resulting from increased inflammation. While there may be some benefit in the short term, this is not a sustainable approach to managing the symptoms of arthritis, and can result in a weakened immune system. There is also little evidence that symptoms remain improved for more than 10 days. A better approach is to have a highly nutritious diet, with plenty of antioxidant-rich vegetables, and foods such as oily fish, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body. In addition, maintaining a healthy body weight will take the stress off joints. Myth #5: drinking cider vinegar helps to relieve the pain of arthritis There are a few trains of thought with this myth, but none that are backed up by any credible research. Some suggest that cider vinegar contains anantioxidant found in orange fruitsand vegetables called beta-carotene, and that this destroys the free radicals causing joint-cell damage. However, cider vinegar is not a rich source of beta-carotene. Some also suggest that crystal formation in the body results in joints becoming stiff and causing pain, and that cider vinegar dissolves these crystals and flushes them from the body. The only type of arthritis to form crystals is gout, and there is no evidence to suggest that cider vinegar works for this. Whats more, the theory makes little sense, as you cannot direct the acids from drinking vinegar to specific areas of the body.