Nature’s way to battle joint pain

ARTHRITIS affects more than ten million people – and it takes over lives.

The crippling condition can cause severe mobility problems, make sleeping impossible and turn basic tasks into a mission.

But instead of relying on anti- i nflammatories and painkillers, which have been linked to stomach and heart issues, there are alternatives.

And they could even stop you developing it in the first place. Chemicals found in the exotic fruits can protect against osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis.

Called phytochemicals, they help prevent damage to cartilage cells, which keeps bones healthy.

Pomegranate seeds are also full of punicic acid, which has powerful antioxidant properties and could reduce joint inflammation. Eating more fruit, veg, beans, whole grains, olive oil and fatty fish may help tackle the disease and increase mobility.

The first study into the link between a Mediterranean diet and osteoarthritis recently found that eating more of these ingredients over a 16-week period helped reduce inflammation and maintain bone health.

Run by charity Arthritis Action, the research saw the “inflammatory blood biomarker” of participants drop by almost half, while a cartilage degeneration dropped 8 per cent. The experts also recommended cutting down on red meat. exercise to get people with mild-to-moderate symptoms back on their feet.