Delicious Ways to BANISH ACHES & PAINS

The muscle soreness and joint stiffness that slow women down in the winter won’t put a damper on your snowy fun, thanks to nutrient-packed healers that deliver the benefits of OTC pain meds

1 GINGER TEA NEUTRALIZES PAIN SIGNALS

To keep aches and pains at bay, sip a mug of ginger tea daily. In a Danish study, the spicy brew eased chronic stiffness and achiness for 63 percent of people within a week. Researchers credit unique plant compounds in ginger, which shut down the production of chemical messengers that trigger pain. A tea we like: Alvita Ginger Root Tea ($7 for 24 tea bags, vitacost.com).

2 LEAFY GREENS CALM INFLAMMATION

Thanks to rich stores of vitamin K, leafy green vegetables relax tight muscles and soothe chronic inflammation, which works to speed the healing of injured ligaments. Boston University researchers report the effect is so powerful that digging into a salad daily reduces stiffness and soreness for 63 percent of women within just 2 weeks.

4 SALMON QUIETS NERVE ACTIVITY

Adding three 6 oz. servings of salmon to your weekly meal plan can ease pain by 33 percent in 7 days, report researchers in the journal Advances in Therapy. Fish is packed with healthy fats (EPA and DHA) that dial back the activity in the nerves that carry pain signals to the brain. These healthy fats also boost circulation, so more healing nutrients are able to reach damaged tissues.

3 CARROTS BOOST CARTILAGE REPAIR

Whether you enjoy them raw or cooked, nibbling on 1 cup of carrots a day can ease joint pain in as little as 10 days. Researchers in Australia say that’s because beta-carotene (the pigment that gives these gems their bright hue) switches on genes that encourage the repair of damaged cartilage, plus promote the growth of healthy new cartilage to speed healing.

5 BERRIES SPEED MUSCLE RECOVERY

A sweet way to make muscle aches disappear: Enjoy 3 cups of berries (fresh or frozen) each week. According to researchers at Michigan State University in East Lansing, the compounds that give these treasures their vibrant color also activate enzymes that speed muscle repair. This cuts healing time in half — and has even been shown to ease aches more effectively than aspirin.