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Arthritis, also known as joint inflammation, isinflammationof one or more joints in your body.

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“With arthritis, we want to keep inflammation at bay.

So how should you go about reducing inflammation?

As a first step, avoid the foods that science links to chronic inflammation from your diet ASAP.

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Read on for 20 of the worst foods that can make arthritis worse so you know what to skip.

“When you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may want to limit the amount of sodium that you eat.

“And regularly taking in large amounts of sodium can increase inflammation in your body.

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Soda

A tall, refreshing glass of soda?

You best not, folks.

White Rice

Pretzels

Steer clear of this delightfully salty and addictive snack.

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“There are manystudieslinking a sub-optimal microbiome to inflammatory arthritis.

Refined grain foods such as pretzels are exactly what a healthy microbiome doesn’t crave,” notes Moon.

Baked Goods

Cinnamon roll aficionados, perk up your ears.

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“Watch out for any packaged baked goods with partially hydrogenated oil as an ingredient.

This ingredient contains trans fats, which you want to avoid always,” says Gorin.

“While all meats contain AGEs, processed ones contain more.”

Pretzels

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If you must indulge, consider our list of thebest hot dogs and sausages for weight loss.

Teitelbaum continues, “Researchshows that sugar especially drives this.

All of these markedly amplify arthritis pain.”

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Refined Sugar

“High amounts of added sugar in your diet can also exacerbate inflammation.

“Avoid preservatives and additives.

French Fries

Yes, French fries should also be avoided, sorry ladies and gents.

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Can’t control your craving?

Canned Fruit in Syrup

Note: We’re talking about fruit packaged in heavy syrup.

These cytokines have been associated with an increase in inflammation,” says Gans.

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White Flour

“White flour markedly drives inflammation,” offers Teitelbaum.

Plus, a study inThe Journal of Nutritionfound the same results.

“White flour also accentuates the omega-3 deficiencies that powerfully impact joint inflammation by suppressing prostaglandin E3.”

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Fruit juice juicing

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blue cheese on cheese board with crostinis and purple grapes

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powdered sugar in a portable sifter on a pink background

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Dairy products like pitcher milk container yogurt cheese on tablecloth

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Fried food

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French fries with ketchup on dark background, top view

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Canned fruit peaches

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Homemade flour tortillas

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