Millions of people around the world suffer from back pain. The intensity and severity of the pain varies – some people only feel a slight discomfort, while others are forced to stay in bed. Back pain is sometimes associated with old age, but in recent times, more and more young people are affected by it due to numerous factors.
Back pain is common as we age – as time passes, our muscles and bones are affected by numerous factors such as the daily wear and tear which puts them under a lot of stress and may damage them over time, causing intense pain. According to research, back pain usually passes on its own in a short time. 50% of participants in one study felt relief after 15 days, and the pain was completely gone in 3 months no matter the medication or treatment. However, sometimes back pain won’t go away no matter what and can seriously interfere with your daily activities. Luckily, we have something that can help:
Anti-inflammatory smoothie against back pain
Ingredients
- 1 orange
- 2 cups of pineapple chunks
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 pears
- 1 lemon
- 1-inch piece of ginger
- 2 inches turmeric root
- A pinch of black pepper
- ½ a teaspoon of coconut oil
Preparation
Peel the lemon, orange, ginger and turmeric, then cut the pineapple and pears into chunks. Now, mix everything in a blender until you get a nice texture, then drink the smoothie right away. If you can’t drink the whole amount, put the smoothie in a glass bottle in the fridge. Make sure to make the smoothie in a blender, not a juicer which can destroy the fibers.
According to studies, eating fiber-rich foods can lower the C-reactive protein in your blood which is an inflammatory marker that has been linked to heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. All the ingredients in the smoothie contain fiber as well as other essential nutrients that can reduce the inflammation in your back and joints and treat the pain. Here are some of the health benefits of the ingredients:
Pineapple
Pineapple contains bromelain, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that is extremely effective and useful for relieving joint pain and inflammation. According to studies, bromelain is even more effective against inflammation and back pain than most NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Orange
Muscle cramps are one of the most common factors for leg pain and occur due to low potassium or calcium levels in the body. Studies have shown that proper vitamin C supplementation can prevent inflammation in the tissues and treat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
Celery
Celery is a superfood rich in essential vitamins and minerals that can improve your overall health. It contains a lot of vitamin K, which is important for proper bone and cartilage mineralization.
Pears
Pears are full of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can fight against inflammation and joint pain. Consuming pears often is associated with lower risk of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lemon
Lemons are rich in vitamin C and E, powerful antioxidants that can protect our body from free radicals and maintain the collagen levels and health of our connective tissues.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory agents. It contains gingerol, a rare compound that can fight prostaglandin lipids that are usually responsible for triggering pain in the joints.
Turmeric
Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory agent for which studies have shown it can relieve osteoarthritis and back pain just as good as Ibuprofen, but without the side-effects.
