What Should Not Be Eaten in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and functional impairment. Although food cannot directly treat rheumatoid arthritis, dietary habits may influence the progression and exacerbation of the condition.

Foods that rheumatoid arthritis patients should avoid:

1. Foods rich in specific amino acids: such as oranges, watermelon, grapefruit, pineapple, and bananas, which contain substances like tyrosine. These foods may worsen rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and should therefore be avoided as much as possible.

2. High-sugar foods: such as cakes, chocolates, biscuits, bread, cookies, and caramels. These foods may cause blood sugar fluctuations, which are detrimental to controlling the condition in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

3. High-fat foods: such as fatty meats, pig trotters, animal offal, fried foods, and barbecued items. During oxidation in the body, high-fat foods can produce large amounts of ketone bodies, which may irritate the joints and exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

4. Seafood products: such as catfish, loaches, eels, kelp, sea cucumbers, sea fish, and shrimp. Uric acid from these foods can be absorbed by the body and may form urate crystals in the joints, thereby worsening the condition.

5. Alcohol and caffeine: excessive alcohol consumption and caffeine intake may affect sleep quality.