Bananas and Arthritis

Arthritis often causes intense ongoing pain in the joints of the hands.For people with arthritis, consuming a banana a day will not necessarily keep the doctor away, but it just might help minimize some of the severe symptoms of this potentially debilitating disease. Although arthritis typically requires medication to control and slow disease progression, regularly including nutrient-rich foods like bananas in your diet may also play an important role in helping your body fight the effects of this common health condition.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes chronic swelling and pain in the joints. Three of the most common forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout. Rheumatoid arthritis, which develops in people of all ages, results when your body attacks its own tissue, specifically in the joint areas. Osteoarthritis occurs in older individuals, producing pain and limiting range-of-motion as a result of regular wear-and-tear on cartilage. Gout occurs when crystals collect and cause inflammation around the joints in your toes.

You Might Also Like

Orange Juice & Cod Liver Oil for Arthritis Does a Banana Help Aid Cramps? Bananas & Depression Phytic Acid in Bananas Does Diet Affect Arthritis? Relief for Arthritis Using Ginger & Cinnamon Do Bananas Help Muscle Spasms? Bananas & Rice for Diarrhea Are Bananas Fattening? Gluten & Dairy Free Diets for Arthritis Are There Side Effects of Eating a Banana a Day? Exercises for Psoriatic Arthritis Banana & Yogurt Diet What Are the Benefits of Eating Banana Peels? How to Make a Banana Facial Mask Foods for Arthritis in the Feet

Bananas contain a healthy dose of vitamin B-6, folate and vitamin C, and serve as a prime food for arthritis-ridden people, says Dr. Virginia Byers Kraus, Duke University School of Medicine associate professor and coauthor of “The Everyday Arthritis Solution.” Vitamin C helps arthritis sufferers by aiding the body’s production of collagen -- a building block for joints; it also helps eradicate joint-destroying free radicals. Increase your body’s intake of B vitamins, which include both vitamin B-6 and folate, because arthritis-caused inflammation depletes your body’s supply of these vitamins at a record rate, especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis, says Krauss.

Even though bananas help boost your body’s level of arthritis-fighting nutrients, do not rely on them for your body’s sole dietary source of important inflammation-fighting nutrients. Other essential nutrients for arthritis sufferers include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, calcium and vitamin D. Helpful dietary sources of these nutrients include a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, as well as salmon, shrimp, dairy products and nuts. Depending on the medications you take to control your arthritis symptoms, talk to your doctor about taking various supplements to help ensure that your body maintains an adequate supply of these and other important nutrients.

Cautions
Some natural health advocates recommend the use of bananas as a natural treatment for arthritis pain, sometimes even suggesting that arthritis sufferers consume a bananas-only diet for up to three or four days to lessen arthritis inflammation and accompanying symptoms. Never try to go on a banana diet or otherwise halt your consumption of a well-balanced diet without first consulting your primary care physician. Doing so may result in depleting vital nutrients in your body, which could actually worsen your arthritis symptoms and possibly even lead to other health problems.

Despite what many suspect about arthritis, most doctors recommend a healthier diet to their patients rather than a mountain of pills. While you should naturally watch the portion size to what you eat, you should also put a primary focus on fruits, vegetables and nuts. The expected diet is dependent on your height and weight, and consists of 2/3 fruits, whole grains and vegetables, and 1/3 low-fat dairy and lean protein. There are specific foods, considered super foods that are best for those suffering from arthritis, such as bananas, salmon and blueberries. While it is advised to also exercise regularly, and maintain healthy habits in general, many of those suffering from arthritis could benefit greatly from a banana every day.

Vitamins in Banana

(Vitamin B6, B9 and B12)

Bananas are a well-known favorite for their source of potassium, but they also provide many other necessary nutrients that arthritis destroys. Each good sized banana you devour houses a full dose of vitamins B-6, C and Folate. This makes it a very important food for arthritis ridden people. Collagen is produced by vitamin C, which is one of the key parts to a healthy joint. The body needs vitamins B-6, B-9 and B-12, especially those who are suffering from arthritis. B-6 has been shown to soothe inflammation, while B-12 has recently been shown to reduce pain in the elbow. It is possible that those deficient in these vitamins may be more likely to develop arthritis.

Lowers Cholesterol

Of course, it is good to have low cholesterol in general, but in particular, those with arthritis may want to watch it closely. It is commonly known that fiber is heart healthy, and keeps your cholesterol healthy. When people add fiber to their diet, they often lose weight, which helps greatly in controlling arthritis. Each medium banana contains roughly 14.4 grams of natural sugar, 6.35 grams of starch and 3.1 grams of fiber. This helps the body to slow the absorption of sugars and cholesterol in your bloodstream, causing the blood glucose and LDL levels to lower.

Magnesium

Super foods are very important to the body, and it is particularly to those wishing to prevent arthritis joint pain. They help keep the bones, as well as the joints and cartilage of the body healthy. Osteoarthritis, for instance, is known to eat away at your bone density. This can cause damage to your bones to your bones, and added stress to your joints. Bananas have high levels of magnesium. Magnesium can ease symptoms related to arthritis, such as muscle and joint pain and inflammation.

Potassium

Low potassium has been linked to arthritis which has brought acknowledgement to the importance of Cortisol. The levels of both potassium and cortisol in those suffering from arthritis are shockingly low. It is mostly due to cortisol being excreted through the body’s waste systems. However, there are many ways that you can raise these levels; stimulating the adrenal glands through fruits and vegetables are the main ticket. Some studies have been conducted to deduce if higher levels of potassium can reduce pain, and it was concluded that over 1/3 of those participating in the study noticed significantly less pain.

Stress Control

Not only do bananas provide muscle and bone improvement, but they also are known to decrease your stress levels. They can improve your mood, due to their high levels of tryptophan, which is later transformed into serotonin for your brain. This easily digestible fruit is capable of regulating your blood sugar, which can relax your body and calm your mind. It can counteract against calcium loss, as well as loss of bone density and soothe your muscles if they are cramping or in pain. Overall, the human body can benefit greatly from a banana every day, as it does not only regulate your body’s system but it also soothes your emotional state.


Bananas are known to be good for you, however few are aware of how good they truly are. In the long run, bananas can be the key to a healthy lifestyle. You will feel better, from your mentality to your physical being. They regulate your body’s blood sugar, as well as serotonin levels and cortisol levels. Being so chockfull of potassium, they are an excellent source of various vitamins and can even defend against the development of various types of arthritis.