Bananas For Osteoarthritis? Myths And Facts About Nutrition For Joint Wear

Proper nutrition is an important component in the conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis. It can help patients experience less pain, less weight and more mobility. 

Here we explain what causes the disease, whether an adapted diet can really help and what the advice “bananas against osteoarthritis” is all about.

When Joints Wear Out

Osteoarthritis refers to a process in which joints in the body or the cartilage that sits on these joints wear out. Sounds like a classic case of old age, and it is. Around half of women over 60 in Germany are affected, according to figures from Deutsche Arthrose-Hilfe e. V.. Among men of the same age it is about a third.

Nevertheless, osteoarthritis does not necessarily only affect older people, but can also affect the younger generation. Because the causes are diverse:

• permanent overload of the joints

• congenital deformation in the joint area

• Consequences of an accident

In the first point, the type of overload refers not only to the years that a joint has been working, but also the circumstances under which it does so. The knee joint of an overweight person is subjected to significantly greater strain than that of a person of normal weight and can therefore wear out earlier. Sports with one-sided strain or misalignment of the legs also increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis Stages And Symptoms

A healthy joint has healthy cartilage. This serves as a buffer between the bones and prevents them from rubbing against each other. But the cartilage also ensures the mobility of the joint and ensures that we can move freely and flexibly. It also absorbs sudden pressure on the bone like a shock absorber and gives the joints support. The natural interaction of joint bones and joint cartilage makes sense in many ways and should definitely be preserved for as long as possible.

But first you have to recognize the onset of osteoarthritis. Doctors distinguish between early and late stages and use two intermediate stages that mark the transition from the early to the late stage of the disease. The symptoms become more severe with each stage and the possibility of stopping the osteoarthritis decreases.

1. Early stage

Apart from slight changes in the cartilage, nothing can be seen in the joint. These small lesions are usually limited to a few square centimeters and cause little or no pain. Since the bone is not yet involved, the doctor is not yet diagnosing osteoarthritis.

2. 2nd Stage

If the minimal changes progress, the second stage results in irritated joint lining and frayed cartilage. Many affected people already notice this stage and see a doctor. Symptoms can include recurring pain in the joints, especially the knee, hip and finger joints.

3. 3rd stage

Increasing stiffness in the joints, pain when lifting the arms or pressure pain in the knee when climbing stairs - all of these things are among the symptoms that become noticeable in the third stage. Because at this point the cartilage is still there, but is already significantly damaged.

The joint space between the bones decreases. Initial inflammation can occur. This inflammation in the joint is not identical to bone wear, but the terminology is similar.

4. Late Stage

A diagnosis of “late-stage osteoarthritis” shows a clear picture: severely degenerated joint cartilage, bones that rub against each other, immobile or very stiff joints. And unfortunately also severe pain even when resting. If the damage is too extensive, it can result in a patient receiving an artificial joint.

Can Eating Right Stop Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is not curable. Not even through proper nutrition, so unfortunately that's a myth. Likewise, high milk consumption is always beneficial. Although there is evidence that low-fat milk can delay the progression of osteoarthritis in women, this has not been observed in men and this effect is also lost with fatty products such as cream cheese.

But the choice of food has an influence on inflammatory processes during the different stages, can have a pain-relieving effect and strengthen bones such as cartilage.Of course, a healthy diet also has a positive effect on the risk factor of being overweight and can help reduce the pressure on the affected joints. Getting your own body weight back to normal is always one of the first and most important steps for osteoarthritis patients.

Top 5 Foods FOR Osteoarthritis

Everything we eat has an effect. There are foods that have been proven to stimulate inflammatory processes in the body and those that counteract them. Foods that strengthen cartilage and those that don't.

We would now like to introduce you to the five best arthritis foods.

1. Herbs

There is no medicine cabinet without herbs. In fact, herbs are also a real resource for osteoarthritis patients that can help reduce joint pain.

Field horsetail, which can be drunk as a tea, contains a lot of silica, which can improve the elasticity of the ligaments and cartilage in the body. Parsley is also a good herb because its high antioxidant content and vitamin C help prevent inflammation.

2. Leek Vegetables

Diallyl sulfate, which is contained in leeks, garlic and onions, is considered an absolute joint buddy because it is said to have cartilage-preserving effects.

3. Cold Water Fish

Salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring are considered cold water fish. What they have in common is a very high vitamin D content, which in turn is good for the bones and facilitates the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D strengthens the bones and therefore has a positive effect, especially on osteoarthritis.

4. Low-fat Yogurts

The myths already suggested that dairy products, due to their calcium content, are absolute recommended consumption for osteoarthritis patients. With a few caveats, this is certainly true. Reduced-fat yogurts or low-fat milk in particular provide bone-strengthening calcium.

However, the higher the fat content of the dairy product, the less favorable the cost-benefit calculation is. Animal fat is considered to be counterproductive when it comes to osteoarthritis. If dairy products, then preferably those with a low fat content.

5. Bananas

Fresh fruit and vegetables are an absolute basic component of a healthy diet and are also important for osteoarthritis patients. 

But what is the claim that bananas in particular are supposed to help against joint wear? This is due to the building material glucosamine, which is contained in the body's own cartilage. In order for the body to produce this, it needs vitamin B6 and this is found in sufficient quantities in bananas.

But don't worry: Bananas aren't the only source of vitamin B6; apples and nuts are also good sources.

With Enjoyment Against Wear And Tear

Even if nutrition cannot perform miracles, it is able to actively support the body and naturally alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. And why shouldn't we use that and combine the pleasant with the useful?

There are great recipes for osteoarthritis, for example:

• leek soup
• Fish fillet with salad
• vegetable pasta
• banana shake
• and much more.