Short Answer: Poke berries are bad for arthritis. Because they have phytolaccatoxin and they can cause poisoning and inflammation.
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints.
Joints are places in your body where two bones meet, such as your knees, hips, or fingers.
In arthritis, your body experiences inflammation, which is a response to injury or infection.
Inflammation can damage the cartilage, which is the smooth tissue that covers the ends of your bones and allows them to glide smoothly.
This can lead to various health problems, such as pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
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 fruits, vegetables, and fish, and avoid pro-inflammatory foods like red meat, processed foods, and sugar.
Now, poke berries are the dark purple fruits of the pokeweed plant, which is native to North America.
People usually cook them thoroughly to make pies, jams, or juices, or use them as a natural dye.
Poke berries are bad for arthritis because they contain phytolaccatoxin, which is a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
Phytolaccatoxin can also worsen inflammation and damage your joints.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease, poke berries can trigger your immune system to attack your joints more aggressively.
A small amount of poke berries can give you about 217 mg of vitamin C, which is 242% of your daily needs.
Vitamin C can help protect your cartilage and reduce inflammation.
However, the benefits of vitamin C are outweighed by the risks of phytolaccatoxin.
Furthermore, poke berries are a nightshade and nightshades are bad for arthritis.
Because, nightshades contain alkaloids, which are compounds that can increase inflammation and pain.
That’s why I suggest you limit your poke berry intake to avoid poisoning and worsening your arthritis.
Stick to one or two berries per day to minimize the side effects.
Also, you shouldn’t eat poke berries if you have gout, which is a type of arthritis that causes uric acid crystals to form in your joints.
Because, poke berries can increase your uric acid levels and cause more pain and swelling.
You can buy fresh poke berries in your local market or order them online.
Always choose ripe, dark purple berries that are free of mold and insects.
Because, unripe, green berries are more toxic and can cause more harm.
You can store them in the freezer for up to a year.
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.