Rheumatoid arthritis: A drink shown to have ‘beneficial effects for RA patients’
Rheumatoid Arthritis: NHS on common signs and symptoms
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Arthritis causes millions of Britons to experience pain in their joints, including knees and the small bones in hands. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can negatively affect a person’s day-to-day living. Fortunately, a certain drink has been shown to help reduce painful symptoms and could be used as a treatment.
In a study published in Science Direct, cranberry juice as a treatment to help decrease disease activity in women with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was investigated.
Studies have shown that cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
The study aimed to verify the effect of cranberry juice consumption on several inflammatory biomarkers and on the disease activity of patients with RA.
The study looked at 41 women who were diagnosed with RA and looked at how consumption of 500 mL/d of low-calorie cranberry juice could help with the condition.
Quercetin, a compound in cranberries, was found to be the attributing factor in helping to reduce inflammation-causing genes.
The study suggests a daily half-litre of low-calorie cranberry juice could help women with rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 400,000 people in the UK.
Women who consumed cranberry juice for three months showed lower levels of antibodies which attack the immune system and damage joints.
They also reported fewer swollen and tender joints when questioned on their symptoms.
The authors of the study, which was led by the University of Londrina in Brazil, said: “The present study indicated that cranberry juice decreases disease activity and therefore has beneficial effects for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
“Larger and long-term studies are needed though to definitively probe this effect and to clarify the mechanisms involved.”
If the results are repeated in larger studies, there would be more evidence that cranberry can improve health because of its antioxidant properties.
Ailsa Bosworth, chief executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, said: “Significantly more research would need to be done to be able to support a recommendation of cranberry consumption as a nutritional intervention for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
“There is no evidence that alternative or complementary therapies can control rheumatoid arthritis.
“Irreversible joint damage without the right drug treatment happens very quickly and there is no evidence-based substitute for taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.”
Early symptoms of arthritis warning of your potential risk include:
- Pain, swelling and stiffness in one or multiple joints
- Morning stiffness in and around the affected joints lasting at least one hour
- Pain and stiffness that worsens with inactivity and improves with physical activity
- Reduced range of motion
- Occasionally fever, weight loss, fatigue and/or anaemia.
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