Apples and Pain Relief

An apple a day - natural pain remedies
Everyone knows the old expression, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," but did you know that you can "Eat an apple a day to chase arthritis away"? Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for many ailments. Home remedies such as a towel soaked in hot water and apple cider vinegar, then wrapped around the painful joint, was a common hot compress used to relieve pain and swelling. Apple cider vinegar and honey stirred into a glass of warm water and drunk once a day will help relieve many ailments, including joint pain, digestive troubles, and sore throats.

So what is in this wonderful natural arthritis remedy that helps so many people?

Antioxidants in Apples
This wonderful fruit is loaded with antioxidants like quercetin, catechin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid that will work against free radicals within the body. Free radicals invade our bodies every day, from sources like processed foods, pollution, and our own bodily wastes, and have been shown in numerous studies to contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases. In addition to their antioxidants, apples contain numerous beneficial vitamins and minerals that can help fight the pain and inflammation of arthritis.

Apples contain high amounts of boron
Boron is a trace mineral found in soil that is essential to plant growth. Researchers believe boron may reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis, and helps to decrease joint pain, swelling and stiffness in people who already have arthritis.

Researchers in Australia conducted a study in which people received 6 milligrams a day of boron. In addition to reducing arthritis symptoms in half of the study participants, it appears that boron may also help to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. Scientists have studied levels of boron in different geographical areas and compared that data to the rate of arthritis in the populations of those areas. With very low levels of boron in the soil, Jamaica has high rates of arthritis. The soil in Israel is rich in boron, and has low incidents of arthritis.

Pectin and Pain Relief
Most people know pectin is used to make jams & jellies, but recently it has gained popularity as a home remedy for arthritis. Apples contain abundant pectin, and apple pectin can be purchased in powdered form to mix with juice. The pectin bonds with heavy metals that collect in the soft tissues of the joints and eliminates them from your body. In addition to removing these toxins, pectin will coat the cartilage and aids the synovial fluid in lubricating the joints, preventing the bones from rubbing together and causing pain.

Indeed apples are a natural food for pain.