A healthy diet for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) focuses on reducing inflammation, supporting joint health, and maintaining overall well-being. Emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, flaxseeds, and walnuts, are particularly beneficial for joint health, as they can help reduce stiffness and swelling. Maintaining a balanced diet also supports a
healthy weight, which lessens stress on weight-bearing joints and improves mobility.
In addition to choosing anti-inflammatory foods, people with RA may benefit from limiting highly processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive saturated or trans fats, which can promote inflammation and worsen symptoms. Including a variety of colorful vegetables, legumes, and whole grains ensures adequate fiber intake, which supports gut health—a factor increasingly linked to inflammation and autoimmune conditions. Staying hydrated, moderating alcohol intake, and consuming foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy or
fortified plant-based alternatives, help maintain bone strength, which is crucial for people with RA at risk of osteoporosis. A nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet, combined with lifestyle management, can significantly support symptom management and overall quality of life.
