Short Answer: Almond milk is good for arthritis because it has vitamin E, calcium, and vitamin D, and they can help reduce inflammation, maintain bone health, and regulate the immune system.
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints.
In arthritis, your body experiences inflammation and damage in the tissues that connect your bones and allow movement.
This can lead to various health problems, such as pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced mobility, and joint deformity.
One of the key factors in managing arthritis is diet.
What you consume can affect your inflammation levels, which can impact your arthritis symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage arthritis, you should consume anti-inflammatory foods like berries, leafy greens, and fatty fish, and avoid pro-inflammatory foods like sugar, refined grains, and processed meats.
Now, almond milk is a plant-based beverage made from almonds and water.
People usually drink it as an alternative to dairy milk, or use it in coffee, oatmeal, or baking recipes.
Almond milk is good for arthritis because it contains vitamin E, calcium, and vitamin D.
One cup (240 ml) of commercial almond milk can give you 110% of your daily vitamin E needs, 24% of your daily calcium needs, and 18% of your daily vitamin D needs.
Vitamin E can help protect your cells from oxidative stress, which is a factor in inflammation and arthritis.
Calcium can help maintain your bone health and prevent osteoporosis, which is a common complication of arthritis.
Vitamin D can help regulate your immune system and reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for autoimmune types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
Furthermore, almond milk is a low-calorie and low-carb beverage, and both calories and carbs are linked to inflammation and arthritis.
Because it is low in calories, almond milk can help you manage your weight, which is important for reducing the pressure on your joints and preventing obesity-related arthritis.
Because it is low in carbs, almond milk can help you lower your blood sugar levels, which can worsen inflammation and arthritis.
You can drink up to two cups (480 ml) of almond milk per day safely.
More than that can cause digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, especially if you are sensitive to FODMAPs, which are fermentable carbohydrates found in almonds.
Also, you shouldn’t drink almond milk if you are allergic to tree nuts, to prevent anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Because almond milk is not a good source of protein, you should also make sure to get enough protein from other foods, such as eggs, lean meats, beans, and nuts.
You can buy almond milk in most grocery stores or online.
Always choose unsweetened and unflavored varieties, as they are lower in calories and sugar.
Because almond milk is watered down and missing most of the fiber from almonds, you can also make your own almond milk at home by soaking, blending, and straining raw almonds.
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing arthritis effectively.
I always recommend my arthritis patients to follow an arthritis-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.