In order to lessen joint inflammation, board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Nick Pappas of the New Orleans region is sharing his three favorite snacks: dark chocolate at night, walnuts for lunch, and blueberries in the morning.
“It’s true that these small dietary changes have helped to keep my joints happier and less inflammatory, especially after intense workouts,” Pappas wrote on TikTok on Wednesday.
Although inflammation is a natural reaction to disease or trauma, prolonged inflammation can have negative effects. It has been connected to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and other dangerous illnesses. It can also harm good tissue.
According to Pappas, lowering inflammation may prevent surgery.
Blueberries
“I eat a handful of blueberries every morning,” Pappas said, emphasizing that blueberries are a superfood that has a higher antioxidant content than other fruits and vegetables.
The increased antioxidant content in blueberries promotes heart health, and their high fiber level facilitates better digestion.
Additionally, recent studies indicate that eating wild blueberries while exercise may hasten the burning of fat.
Walnuts
To obtain his omega-3 fatty acids, which are well-known for their anti-inflammatory qualities, Pappas usually consumes a handful of walnuts around lunchtime.
Eating walnuts may improve memory in Alzheimer’s sufferers, according to research from the National Institute on Aging. Walnuts are good for the body and the mind.
Eaters of walnuts have been found to have higher-quality sperm, thus these nuts are also beneficial for the nuts.
Dark chocolate
“I consume three small pieces of 70% dark chocolate at night after dinner for the anti-inflammatory effect of flavanols as well as to improve satiety,” says Pappas as he wraps up his day.
Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that a few nibbles of premium dark chocolate promote calmer, more comfortable sleep. Serotonin, the joyful hormone that can also help people feel more Zen about their Zs, is produced more readily when dark materials are consumed.
Lover of dark chocolate, nevertheless, should be advised that some of these bars have dangerously high amounts of cadmium and lead, according to recent studies.
