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12 Smoothies to Manage Arthritis and Relieve Joint Pain

Arthritis is characterized by swelling or tenderness of the joints. It affects over 50 million people in the country. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which tend to worsen with age. It may be inherited or caused by immune problems or metabolic conditions like gout. Making changes in daily meal plans can help manage arthritis symptoms. One of the easiest ways to introduce inflammation-relieving foods into one’s life is with delicious smoothies.

Try these twelve arthritis-friendly smoothies at home to alleviate joint pain.

Pineapple and turmeric smoothie
Blend a quarter of a pineapple with water, orange, turmeric, lemon zest, mango, ginger, carrot, and salt. This delicious yellow smoothie is rich in antioxidants from pineapple, orange, and turmeric, which can reduce oxidative stress in the body. The main active component of turmeric, curcumin, inhibits COX-2, the enzyme that causes joint pain and inflammation, helping reduce symptoms of arthritis. The pineapple, orange, and mango add vitamin C to the smoothie, which also helps fight inflammation. Pineapple also contains the enzyme bromelain, which can help reduce arthritic pain.

Kiwi and kale green smoothie
Blend two kiwis with a bunch of kale, one mango, one orange, and some water to create a quick and easy green smoothie. Orange and mango impart a sweet taste to the drink and are a rich source of vitamin C. Kale is packed with magnesium, which helps regulate calcium absorption in the body and can help build bone strength to reduce joint pain from arthritis and other conditions. In addition, kiwis can help reduce the presence of inflammatory proteins in the body, to relieve pain. This creamy, filling smoothie is packed with nutrients, making it the perfect candidate for a quick breakfast.

Mango-strawberry smoothie
Prefer a sweet beverage to kickstart the day or a little sweet treat after a meal? This mango-strawberry smoothie is simple to make. Blend one cup of melon with one mango, a handful of strawberries, a small bunch of spinach, half a banana, and some water or ice. This drink packs a ton of nutrients like vitamin C, carotenoids, potassium, magnesium, and iron. These qualities are further enhanced by strawberries, which can lower C-reactive protein levels in the blood that tend to spike during an arthritis flare-up.

Grapefruit parsley smoothie
Grab half a cup of fresh parsley, a handful of spinach, half a cucumber, a peeled grapefruit, a banana, some fresh ginger, and water or ice, and blend them to create a beautiful red smoothie. This refreshing smoothie packs vitamin C from the grapefruit, and beta-carotene from the parsley, which can help fight arthritis inflammation and relieve joint pain.

Creamy green smoothie
Blend two handfuls of spinach with half a cup of parsley, avocado, hemp seeds, turmeric, apple, and raspberries to create a rich and creamy green smoothie. It is packed with the goodness of curcumin, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and relieve the symptoms of arthritis. One can also customize this smoothie with other ingredients such as aloe vera juice, almonds or almond butter, and coconut or olive oil, for added flavor.

Tropical smoothie
Get the benefits of anti-inflammatories in a delicious, tropical smoothie by blending a cup of unsweetened coconut milk with half a cup each of pineapple, mango, and banana. The fruits can also be swapped for papaya. These fruits are a rich source of vitamin C, potassium, and bromelain, which can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

Berry smoothie
Blend a cup of unsweetened coconut milk with frozen mixed berries and Greek yogurt to create a mouth-watering smoothie. This recipe is appetizing and easy to make, but it is also packed with antioxidants that can help relieve joint pain and inflammation. Devour this smoothie as a guilt-free dessert or as a quick midday snack.

Red smoothie
With a cup of pomegranate, blend one apple and one beetroot to form a deep red smoothie. Pomegranate juice has been linked with reducing oxidative stress in the body, and it can protect the bone cartilage against wear and tear, which can help reduce arthritis pain. Apples are a rich source of antioxidants like quercetin, which can reduce inflammation or joint pain and decrease the risk of developing arthritis in the future.

Carrot and pineapple smoothie
Add one whole orange, one and a half cups of cubed pineapple, two carrots, chia seeds, two bunches of spinach, fresh ginger, water, or ice to a blender, and process it until it all comes together in the form of a creamy smoothie. Rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, this delicious smoothie can work wonders for helping alleviate inflammation and pain caused by arthritis.

Guava strawberry smoothie
Blend a cup of strawberries with half a cup of guava, two bananas, four cups of spinach, and some water to make a yummy green smoothie. This nutritious summer smoothie is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants that can help relieve inflammation and joint pain from arthritis.

Blueberry kale smoothie
Blend blueberries with a cup of kale, one banana, pitted dates, almond butter, and some milk to create a rich and creamy smoothie. Blueberry and kale are superfoods that contain a healthy dose of antioxidants that may help relieve inflammation and pain from conditions like arthritis.

Vanilla matcha protein smoothie
Matcha is a finely ground powder made out of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It is believed to be richer in antioxidants than green tea, making it a great addition to a smoothie to relieve inflammation and slow down cartilage breakdown. Blend a scoop of vanilla protein powder with a banana, matcha powder, honey, fresh vanilla bean or extract, and milk to create a delicious smoothie that could double as a pre-workout snack.

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