Around 8 million people in the UK suffer from arthritis. There are different kinds of the disease, but they are all characterised by painful joints, typically of the hands, feet, wrists, ankles and knees. The most common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition that can affect the entire body, but especially the joints.
What exactly causes arthritis is still unknown, but diet is believed to be a major factor. In particular, people who eat a diet containing a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables and very limited amounts of red meat are less likely to be affected by arthritis. The reason is that fruit and veg are a rich source of antioxidants - especially vitamins C and E and the minerals selenium and zinc - which neutralise harmful chemicals in the body. Another important nutrient in alleviating arthritis is Omega-3 – an essential fatty acid found in fish oil.
If you’d like a recipe with anti-arthritic properties, here’s one for Salmon Niçoise Salad - Serves 4 people.
Ingredients:
1 can (400g) red salmon
400g new potatoes (boil until tender)
200g French beans
2 little gem lettuce
5 anchovies
20 cherry tomatoes (halved)
4 hard-boiled eggs
150g black olives
A sprinkle of parsley
Dressing:
1 clove of garlic (crushed)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
5 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Pepper to taste
Directions: