Arthritis sufferers warned over eating two everyday fruits

Disease known as arthritis comes with a variety of symptoms and while it can be difficult to manage, there are ways to ease the pain - and diet is a key factor in this

Arthritis sufferers have been alerted about two common fruits that could potentially worsen their symptoms.

Arthritis, a condition characterised by pain, swelling, inflammation and mobility issues, doesn't have a known cure, but its symptoms can be managed, with diet playing a crucial role.

According to the Physicians Committee, certain foods, including apples and tomatoes, can act as "pain triggers".

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The report highlighted: "While genetic factors are important, studies show that lifestyle factors, including diet, play a role. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, a diet change could help you, and perhaps even eliminate your pain entirely. In research studies, many people who cut out certain trigger foods find that their pain improves or goes away."

"When those foods are gone, so is the inflammation. A survey of more than 1,000 arthritis patients revealed that red meat, sugar, fat, salt, caffeine and nightshade plants most commonly worsen the condition."

Both apples and tomatoes contain solanine, a glycoalkaloid poison found mainly in species of the nightshade family. The connection between solanine and arthritis was explored in a study published in the Arab Journal of Nuclear Sciences and Applications in 2013, reports the Mirror.

The report underscores the dangers of solanine, stating: "Solanine is a toxic compound produced in nightshades family such as potato, tomato and eggplant when exposed to light. The current study was carried out on 18 female postmenopausal albino rats to investigate the effect of solanine on the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis."

It continues to detail the findings: "The data of the present study showed that old age and postmenopausal suffering from arthritis and joint swelling must eliminate or avoid the nightshades plants to alleviate the joint pain and also decrease the destruction of the tissues."

However, this perspective isn't universally accepted, with some health experts remaining sceptical. Specifically, The Arthritis Society Canada highlights the need for individualized attention, suggesting that people gauge their own reactions to foods containing solanine rather than strictly adhering to this recommendation.

Recent developments in another field have brought hope, with last month's research identifying an existing diabetes drug with potential benefits for autoimmune diseases. The drug, Canagliflozin, typically prescribed for type 2 diabetes, has been found to affect T-cells that play a significant role in immune responses.

As these cells can mistakenly attack the body's own tissues causing autoimmune disorders, the discovery could be good news for sufferers with rheumatoid arthritis and others living with lupus, showing promise as a dual-purpose treatment.

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