Arthritis encompasses all conditions causing joint pain and inflammation. There are several kinds, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Treatment includes pain-alleviating medications; but do you know that your diet can also help reduce the discomfort.

Here are 10 foods to avoid for arthritis pain.

Packaged Foods
Avoid all kinds of processed foods like baked and pre-packaged snacks and meals. They comprise trans fats, which may trigger inflammation and pain. Do not buy any foods that include partially hydrogenated oils.

Sugar and its Alternatives
Refined sugar products release cytokines, which are proteins that cause inflammation. Avoid all kinds of sugar and its alternatives, such as sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, maltose, sucralose, and aspartame. Sugar alternatives are often found in diet sodas, low-fat yogurt, sugar-free candies, pudding, and gums, which must be avoided.

Advanced Glycation End (AGE) Products
AGE is a toxin found in pasteurized, fried, heated, and grilled foods. This toxin damages body proteins. Your body uses cytokines to break AGEs, which may induce inflammation and pain.

Processed Meats
Processed meats are modified from their original state via smoking, curing, salting, or fermenting. This is done to enhance their flavors and increase shelf life. However, foods like sausage, bacon, bologna, hot dogs, corned beef, ham, and beef jerky comprise AGEs that cause inflammation.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Most meats, sunflower, corn, soy, peanut, and safflower oils comprise omega-6 fatty acids. Excessive consumption may release inflammation-causing chemicals that increase the pain in your joints.

Refined Carbs
White flour products like pasta, bread, and crackers have refined carbs. These carbs spike blood glucose levels and may cause inflammation.

Dairy Products
Most dairy products like mayonaise, cheese, cream cheese, butter, and margarine comprise saturated fats. Consumption of these foods must be moderated to avoid inflammation.

Fried Foods and Red Meat
Fries, chicken, and donuts comprise trans fats and AGEs, and must be avoided. Additionally, red meat contains a high level of saturated fats that may trigger inflammation and spike in cholesterol.

Salt
If you consume excess salt, there is a chance that your blood volume increases as sodium absorbs water. As a result, blood vessels expand increasing pressure on surrounding areas including your joints.

Alcohol and Tobacco
Consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol poses health risks as well as increases inflammation. Additionally, smoking increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, and reducing or eliminating this habit is recommended.

The right diet and proper nutrition not only benefit your joints but over all health as well. Increasing the consumption of anti-inflammatory foods like green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, and other colorful vegetables is advisable to alleviate inflammation and arthritis-induced pain.