Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disease that affects people all over the world. The most common symptom associated with this autoimmune disease is joint pain. This chronic joint pain can make everyday activities difficult, as well as cause a great deal of frustration and stress to those who suffer from the disease. To help ease the pain and prevent flare ups, here are some foods that you should try to avoid:

1. Fried meats and fried foods

To help minimize common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, you should try to avoid all fried foods. These foods are unhealthy for everyone, but can especially aggravate those with rheumatoid arthritis. These foods are high in trans fats, which will increase the amount of inflammation in the body. The more inflammation present, the worse swelling and joint pain can become.

2. Omega-6 rich foods

This ingredient is typically found in the oils used to fry foods, such as sunflower or corn oil. Omega-6 rich foods tend to cause increased swelling and inflammation in your body, which will make rheumatoid arthritis symptoms even worse.

3. Gluten

Gluten is another food that should be avoided because it can cause increased joint pain and inflammation in the body. Gluten is found in many products that you consume on a daily basis, so pay close attention to the amount of gluten in the food you typically eat. If you remove it from your diet, keep a daily journal for about two weeks to see if you notice a difference in how you feel.

4. Sugars and refined carbohydrates

Sugars and refined carbohydrates are found in almost everything sweet. They can help curve your sweet tooth, but a few minutes of satisfaction is likely not worth the way you will feel later if you have rheumatoid arthritis. For those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, this is another food to avoid because it can cause increased inflammation and make your joint pain significantly worse. Try to eliminate or at least cut down on the amount of sugar that you consume in your diet.

5. Alcohol

It is important to cut down on alcohol consumption as much as possible if you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. When your body consumes alcohol, it leads to increased inflammation, which in turn makes joint pain worse. In addition, alcohol can affect the way your body reacts if you are taking certain medications to help curb your arthritis pain. Many medications do not react well to drinking, and could also affect the ability of the medication to do its job correctly.

6. Foods high in preservatives

Everyone should try to cut down on the amount of food preservatives they consume. Eating fresh food is the best way to feel your best and to stay healthy. Avoiding foods that are high in preservatives will naturally help your body reduce swelling and inflammation. This will improve the way that you feel and reduce some of the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Foods that are high in preservatives often include fried foods, deli meats, crackers, breads, snacks, sweets, and sauces. If you are unsure about which foods contain high levels of preservatives, you may want to consult your doctor for advice about choosing healthy foods.