February 22, 2019
Prescription painkillers may be effective, but their cons definitely outweigh their pros. For example, a regular user is prone to a tolerance build-up, requiring higher doses, and this may make users susceptible to an increased risk of heart attack or overdose.
Nature has provided us with foods rich in nutrients that combat pain much like a painkiller, but without the health risks. With that, we have compiled a list of these super foods, which are widely available and require no prescription.
1. Cherries: exercise pain, arthritis, gout, and headaches.
Anthocyanins, the anti-inflammatory compounds in cherries, have 10 times the strength of ibuprofen according to a Michigan State University, East Lansing study. In another study, runners who drank tart cherry juice for seven days prior to a race experienced reduced post-race muscle pain. Cherries not only serve as a cure but also as prevention.
How to use: Indulge in 20 bright-red cherries per day; their reddish hue comes from the anthocyanins. Twenty cherries seem like a mouthful? Make a smoothie by blending bananas, cherries, and ice together. Yum!
2. Ginger: joint pain, stiffness, and menstrual pain.
Ginger contains gingerols, a compound that prevents the creation of pain-causing hormones. This compound has been found to produce relief from arthritis. The super food has also been found to be as effective as ibuprofen for menstrual pain.
How to use: You can reap the benefits of ginger by simply adding two or more teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals. For a more creative option, here is a popular and versatile Asian ginger dressing recipe.
3. Fish oil: acute or chronic back and neck pain.
Once again, ibuprofen meets its match–in fish oil. In a study, 60% of subjects with neck or back pain found relief from fish oil within three months. This has also moved participants into substituting their prescription painkillers for fish oil. This relief is the result of omega-3, which has anti-inflammatory properties, present in fatty fish like salmon.
How to use: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily dose of 250-500 mg of omega-3. For specific health conditions, please consult with your doctor for the specific dosage. You can also eat fatty fish on a regular basis, and one does not have to spend much because sardines are a great inexpensive alternative to salmon.
4. Turmeric: inflammation-induced pain.
Turmeric is one of the most studied anti-inflammatory foods, and there are too many studies to mention. It receives its anti-inflammatory benefits from circumin. It will reduce inflammation-induced pain such as arthritis and also has potential to be therapeutic for certain types of cancers.
How to use: Take at least ½ US teaspoon daily with a healthy fat such as olive oil or fish oil and black pepper. The healthy fat will help in absorbing more of the beneficial curcumin because of turmeric’s solubility in fat. Piperine, a compound in black pepper, will multiply the amount of curcumin your body uses.
One has to look no further in achieving relief from all kinds of ailments because nature has provided us with solutions free from side effects and harmful chemicals. You can immediately include all of these super foods into your diet for they are all widely available and need no prescription. We at Puriya are committed to giving you natural options that will reduce pain and improve your quality of life.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this list! Do you know any other super foods effective against pain? Let us know by commenting down below. This world provides an abundant amount of nutritious food, and we’d love to know if you have your own list of super foods!