Summer Fruits and Veggies to Relieve Inflammation

Summer warmth can bring relief to achy joints, and so might summer fruits and vegetables. Indulge in the flavors of the season with these fresh picks, all packed with healthful, inflammation-fighting nutrients.

Strawberries

注册营养师德西蕾·尼尔森说，草莓含有花青素，有助于抑制炎症。此外，草莓富含维生素C，与胶原蛋白和结缔组织的构建有关。

Try this:把草莓洗净、去皮、冷冻，然后做成果泥，就可以做成夏季冰沙了。加入可可粒或黑巧克力块(至少80%的可可含量)，这样更健康。

Red Bell Peppers

A study in the journalInflammationin 2012 suggests that the flavonoid quercetin in these sweet peppers can inhibit inflammatory agents that may lead to joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), says Nielsen.

Try this:Stuff them with a sautéed mix of quinoa, beans, tomatoes and spinach.

Apricots

杏含有丰富的植物性化学物质-隐黄质，研究表明，它可能有助于预防骨关节炎和炎症性关节炎。它们还含有高水平的镁，可以增强骨骼，也可以缓解疼痛。

Try this:Stuff them with goat cheese and almonds or grill and add them to tacos.

Carrots

The beta-carotene that’s plentiful in carrots lowers uric acid, which may help keep gout symptoms at bay. Carrots also have lots of collagen-building vitamin C.

Try this:Eat them with hummus, add them to coleslaw or blend them into smoothies.

Watermelon

Along with beta-cryptoxanthin, which may reduce inflammation, watermelon is a great source of bone-healthy vitamin A. It also is rich in potassium and magnesium – minerals that research from the Framingham Heart Study has linked to higher bone density.

Try this:Mix it in the blender with lemonade or iced tea or just slice it and dig in.

Summer Squash

The antioxidants – carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin C – in these summer veggies fight free-radical damage and reduce inflammation, slowing cartilage deterioration and reducing joint pain, says Jamie Mok, clinical dietitian at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in California.

Try this:Brush slices with olive oil and grill them, add them to a stir-fry, or shred and use them in baked goods.

Cherries

Anthocyanins in tart cherries help relieve osteoarthritis pain and control gout flares in some people. Sweet cherries, which also contain anthocyanins, may help reduce C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in RA and other inflammatory diseases.

Try this:Eat them fresh off the stem or add them to salads or oatmeal.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are packed with healthy antioxidants, including vitamin C, lycopene and quercetin, says registered dietitian Vandana Sheth, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, and research has linked lycopene to lower cardiovascular risks. That’s significant because people with inflammatory arthritis have higher cardiovascular risks than other people.

Try this:Chop them with basil and garlic and serve them on toasted bread as bruschetta; or use them in a fresh pasta sauce or salsa.