Benefits Of Oats To Treat Arthritis

Some research believes that it is possible, at least, to alleviate the discomfort caused by arthritis through regular consumption of certain foods, such as oats. However, these can never replace medical indications and treatments.

Oats are known to be a cereal with multiple health benefits. Nutrition specialists speak of it as that superfood that should not be missing in our diet and that is also suitable for the whole family.

You may be taking it for the purpose of losing weight or regulating your cholesterol. However, those who suffer from arthritis can take advantage of it to improve their quality of life. This annoying and sometimes disabling ailment on a day-to-day basis, you can find relief through regular consumption of oatmeal. 

As we have said, it is important to emphasize that, despite everything, in no case can it replace the doctor’s instructions or healthy lifestyle habits. Faced with any symptoms of this disease, the first thing to do is go to the doctor, who is the one who can indicate the appropriate and most effective treatment.

Arthritis is a disease that has no cure, but there are many medications that the specialist can indicate to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, and even to slow down the evolution of the disease. Among them are:

• NSAIDs : non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen.
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate or leflunomide.
• Biological agents, such as etanercept or infliximab.

Oatmeal Relieves Arthritis Pain

Oats are one of the most nutritious foods that exist within nature. It is rich in fiber, protein, folates, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus. We can see it in the article Oatmeal  sativa (Oat), a potential neutraceutical and therapeutic agent: an overview.

Now, the reason why oats can help treat arthritis lies, above all, in its anti-inflammatory properties, provided by avenanthramides, as indicated in the article Avenanthramides and nutritional components of four Mexican oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties . On the other hand, thanks to its high level of thiamine and other B vitamins, oats are perfect for relaxing and reducing inflammation of the tissues around the joints and alleviating discomfort.

Also, having a high content of phenolic compounds and vitamin E, an antioxidant compound capable of fighting and protecting the body from free radicals, it is considered that oats can contribute positively to the treatment of arthritis. In this, beta-glucans from oats have a fundamental role as well, as the article shows Antioxidant properties of yeast (1 → 3) -β- d -glucan studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and its activity in the adjuvant arthritis.

Some benefits in detail

Another interesting aspect, which the scientific articles mentioned above also highlight, is that oats stand out as a wonderful natural diuretic ; with which, it serves to treat fluid retention and swelling. Nor can we forget its high fiber content. Thanks to it, the work of the intestine is facilitated and the correct elimination of waste takes place.

2 Simple Ways To Relieve Arthritis With Oatmeal

1. Eat oatmeal for breakfast

It is important that you consume oatmeal daily in order to obtain all its benefits. Especially if you want to relieve arthritis on all possible fronts. Some considerations that you should take into account are the following:

• Never mix oatmeal with animal milk. Cow’s milk, due to its fatty components and especially saturated fat, can slightly increase the inflammation of adipose tissue and is not recommended if you suffer from arthritis, as indicated by the Arthritis Foundation . You can mix it with vegetable drinks or orange juice, for example.
• The best way to eat oatmeal for breakfast is to mix it with apples or bananas. And never forget to include a little honey, as it is a natural source of antioxidants, as indicated by research published in 2019 in the journal Nutrition & metabolism . It is ideal for improving arthritis!

2. Pamper yourself with these bags of oatmeal

Ingredients

• 1 cup of oatmeal (100 g).
• 1/2 glass of water (125 ml).
• 2 tablespoons of honey (20 g).
• 1 tablespoon of oatmeal (10 g).

Preparation

• We put the water and the oats in a pot and heat it.
• Add the honey and stir until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. It must be thick enough to be able to apply it where we have joint pain.
• We apply on the skin and let it act for 20 minutes. 
• Finally, we remove with fresh water.

To consider

First of all, it is necessary to point out that if you are one of those people who when consuming oats notices some swelling, it is best to go to the doctor.

Oats do not usually cause this problem in most healthy adults; But, when it occurs, it is possible that there is a certain allergy to some component of it, such as gluten, or even to a protein present in this cereal.

Remember

Although oatmeal is a food capable of providing a wide variety of health benefits, it is important not to rely exclusively on it when treating arthritis or other conditions.

In this sense, the sum of good lifestyle habits and compliance with the doctor’s instructions should always have priority.