When you have a lot of ailments, popping pills for every ache and pain can leave you feeling like a walking drugstore, so it’s no wonder that some of us would rather brave through a headache than take a pill for pain. But can you fight aches and pains naturally with foods—without medication? While over-the-counter and prescription medications definitely serve a purpose, as a registered dietitian and associate nutrition editor for EatingWell Magazine I’ve found science that shows you can get some pain-fighting effects from food. Here’s a roundup of research that Rachel Johnson, Joyce Hendley and Karen Ansel have previously covered for EatingWell Magazine:
Must-Read: 5 Cures from Your Kitchen for Headaches and More Common Ailments [7]
6 Spices That Heal [8]
Food:Ginger [9]
Good for: Sore muscles and aching joints
Ginger isn’t just for relieving unsettled stomachs and the common cold. In fact, ginger is rich in inflammation-fighting compounds, such as gingerols, which may reduce the aches of osteoarthritis and soothe sore muscles. In a recent study, people who took ginger capsules daily for 11 days reported 25 percent less muscle pain when they performed exercises designed to strain their muscles (compared with a similar group taking placebo capsules). Another study found that ginger-extract injections helped relieve osteoarthritis pain of the knee.
Must-Read: Is Stress Causing Your Stomach Ache? 3 Fixes That May Help You Feel Better [10]
Recipes to Try: Ginger-Marinated Leg of Lamb and More Healthy Ginger Recipes [11]
Food: Salmon [12]
Good for: Inflamed joints and troubled tummies
Preliminary studies suggest that omega-3s may help quell the aches and pains of rheumatoid arthritis. And that’s no surprise, since omega-3s are touted for their ability to reduce inflammation. In addition to soothing aching joints, omega-3s can also tame your troubled tummy (especially when caused by stress) according to a 2005 Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition study.
Must-Read: Top Sources of Omega-3s [13]
Recipes to Try:Mustard-Crusted Salmon and More Easy Salmon Recipes [14]
Food:Coffee [15]
Good for: Headache
Studies show that 200 milligrams of caffeine—about the amount in 16 ounces of brewed coffee—provides relief from headaches, including migraines. But keep in mind that relying on caffeine long-term can backfire, since habitual coffee drinkers usually suffer withdrawal headaches when they cut back on the caffeine.
Must-Read: 4 Health Reasons Not to Quit Coffee (and 4 Cons to Consider) [16]
Recipes to Try:Greek Iced Coffee and More Healthy Coffee Recipes [17]
Food:Sage [18]
Good for: Sore throat
When your throat is scratchy and irritated, try sipping on a tea made from brewed sage leaves. It’s a remedy recommended by herbalists that has some support from clinical trials. A 2006 study found that spraying sore throats with a sage solution gave effective pain relief compared to a placebo.
Recipes to Try: Chickpea, Spinach & Squash Gnocchi, Plus More Recipes with Sage [19]
What's your favorite home remedy from your kitchen?
TAGS: Kerri-Ann Jennings [2], Health Blog [21]
Kerri-Ann Jennings is a registered dietitian with a master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University. She is the former associate nutrition editor for EatingWell Magazine.
Links:
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[2] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/kerri-ann-jennings
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[4] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/health_blog/4_foods_that_fight_pain
[5] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/health_blog/4_foods_that_fight_pain?section=comments#tabs
[6] http://www.eatingwell.com/sites/default/files/images/b821e580-291c-4445-ad94-c12b961c4b8e.Full.jpg
[7] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/immunity/kitchen_cures
[8] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/6_of_the_worlds_healthiest_spices
[9] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/6_of_the_worlds_healthiest_spices?page=6
[10] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/health/_stress-causing-stomach-ache-3-fixes-may-feel-better
[11] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/ginger_recipes
[12] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/immunity/kitchen_cures?page=6
[13] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/top_sources_of_omega_3s
[14] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/salmon_recipes
[15] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/immunity/kitchen_cures?page=4
[16] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/the_health_benefits_and_cons_of_coffee
[17] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/coffee_recipes
[18] http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/6_of_the_worlds_healthiest_spices?page=2
[19] http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/sage_recipes
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[22] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/meat_lover_s_quinoa_veggie_burger
[23] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/277288?section=comments#tabs
[24] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/healthy_spring_salad_recipe_with_fresh_peas_and_crispy_fried_shallots
[25] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/277219?section=comments#tabs
[26] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/vegetarian_thai_red_curry
[27] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/276919?section=comments#tabs
[28] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/how_to_make_cream_sauce_without_cream
[29] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/276908?section=comments#tabs
[30] http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/food_blog/3_diy_tortilla_tricks_how_to_make_your_own_taco_shells_taco_bowls_and_tortilla_chips
[31] http://www.eatingwell.com/node/276907?section=comments#tabs
[32] http://www.eatingwell.com/user
[33] http://www.eatingwell.com/print/17101
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