“We are what we eat”
hippocrates
It has been shown that diet has an impact on our weight management, muscle mass, physical performance, mental health, and inflammatory responses in our body. Specific to pain reduction, recommendations in the literature included a vegan diet and Mediterranean diet.
Since our mental health influences pain as well, diet can indirectly help. Whole foods have been shown to improve our mood and thus protect us from depression. On the contrary, junk food and sugars jeopardize our mental health.
To adopt a diet that will help manage pain, recommendations include:
- Increasing portion of fruit & vegetables – specifically cruciferous vegetables
- Increasing omega-3 fatty acid intake
- Limiting sugar intake
- Eating whole grain options
- Limiting red meat
Since our brains process all the signals from our body, it would only make sense that what we eat not only affects us physically, but also how we feel mentally and emotionally. Diet can therefore influence other contributing factors to pain, in addition to helping to manage the pain itself!
For more guidance on a healthy diet, refer to Canada’s food guide here.
Against All Pains 