What foods should people with rheumatoid arthritis avoid?

The following food groups should not be included in the diet of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

1. Red meat and processed meat

Research shows that eating a lot of red meat (pork, beef, goat meat…) and processed meat (ham, sausage, bacon…) increases RA symptoms. The reason is that these types of meat promote the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine – markers of inflammation in the body.

In addition, another study also showed that eating a lot of red meat increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Conversely, a diet low in or no red meat has been shown to significantly improve arthritis symptoms.

2. Dairy products

We are often advised to drink (or eat) dairy products (such as milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.) to ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D for the body. However, milk also contributes to increased inflammation in RA patients. This is because it contains saturated fat - an inflammatory agent.

If you still want to keep dairy in your diet, choose low-fat dairy products instead of whole milk.

3. Foods high in salt

Too much salt isn’t just bad for your blood pressure. If you have RA and are taking steroids, your symptoms tend to get worse. People with RA should aim for less than 5g of salt a day.

4. Foods high in sugar

Eating too much sugar isn’t good for everyone, but it’s especially bad for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that consuming too much sugar can worsen RA symptoms and significantly increase the risk of developing arthritis. In one study of 1,209 adults aged 20–30, those who drank fructose-sweetened beverages five times a week were three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who drank little or no fructose-sweetened beverages.

Sugar is found in candy, soft drinks, ice cream, tea, cakes... and many other foods, including "seemingly harmless" foods like barbecue sauce, mayonnaise...

5. Foods containing gluten

Gluten is a group of proteins found in many grains such as barley, wheat, rye, and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). Some studies have shown that a gluten-free or low-gluten diet helps reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

To limit gluten tolerance, RA patients need to consider before eating bread, cookies, pizza, soft drinks, sweeteners...

6. Overly processed foods

Highly processed foods like fast food, breakfast cereals, and baked goods are often high in refined grains, added sugars, preservatives, and other inflammatory ingredients, all of which can aggravate arthritis symptoms.

Research suggests that the common Western diet (high in processed foods) is a contributor to the increased risk of RA by increasing inflammation and risk factors such as overweight and obesity.

Not only that, in a survey of 56 people with RA, those who ate a lot of highly processed foods increased their risk of cardiovascular disease, due to the presence of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in their blood - a marker of long-term blood sugar control.

7. Alcohol

Because alcohol can aggravate arthritis symptoms, anyone with RA should limit or avoid alcohol. Chronic alcohol use is also associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis.

In addition, drinking alcohol while taking RA medications can harm your organs. For example, drinking alcohol while taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can cause stomach bleeding and stomach ulcers; drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen, leflunomide (Arava) or methotrexate can harm your liver.

8. Animal organs

Heart, liver, and animal stomach contain a lot of phosphorus. Eating a lot of it will make the patient feel obvious joint pain. Not only that, they also have swelling in their knees and ankles, making it difficult to walk because of prolonged pain.

9. Sustainable Glycation Products

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are molecules created through the reaction between glucose (sugar) and protein (protein) or lipid (fat). They occur naturally in uncooked animal foods, and are formed through certain cooking methods such as frying, roasting, grilling, and marinating. AGEs accumulate in foods such as grilled meat, bacon, pan-fried steak, fried chicken, grilled sausages, etc. French fries, cheese, margarine, and mayonnaise are also rich in AGEs.

When AGEs accumulate in high levels in the body, oxidative stress and inflammation can occur. These two conditions have been linked to the progression of arthritis. In fact, people with arthritis have been shown to have higher levels of AGEs in their bodies than people without arthritis.

Replace these foods with nutrient-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, and fish. This will help reduce the total amount of AGEs in your body.

10. Spicy seasoning

Spicy spices such as chili, pepper, mustard… are the “culprits” that cause burning pain in the joints, making the tissues swell more. That is why they are not recommended in the diet of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

11. Some notes on the diet of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Creating a suitable menu is the first step in a nutritional regimen for RA patients. Next, it is important to note the following important points:

• Balance the amount of nutrients in each meal: It is necessary to diversify dishes from many food groups, avoid eating too much of one food group leading to eating less or completely eliminating other foods. Deficiency/excess of any nutrient is not good for arthritis patients.
• Pay attention to your daily calorie intake, avoid eating too much leading to weight gain: Overweight - obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis. People with a BMI above the normal threshold only need to lose a few pounds to reduce pressure on the joints, thereby significantly improving RA symptoms.
• Choose the right cooking method: Some cooking methods can preserve more nutrients in foods than others. Specifically, steaming instead of boiling, and lightly frying in healthy oils instead of deep frying can help retain more nutrients. Steaming in the microwave for a short time also preserves the most nutrients.

If you are a foreigner who needs to use medical services while traveling in Vietnam, your medical benefits will be supported as Vietnamese citizens. To ensure your medical benefits are best guaranteed, you should go with an interpreter to exchange and receive information fully and effectively.

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References:

1. Dietitian, KY (2023, September 9). The best diet for rheumatoid arthritis: Reviewing the evidence. Diet Vs Disease. https://www.dietvsdisease.org/rheumatoid-arthritis-diet/
2. The best and worst foods for rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). (2024, February 19). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-foods
3. Ellis, M.E. (2021, September 23). Rheumatoid arthritis diet: Foods to avoid and nutrition tips. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/anti-inflammatory-ra-diet
4. https://tamanhhospital.vn/viem-khop-dang-thap-nen-an-gi-kieng-gi/