Getting diagnosed with osteoarthritis can be stressful, especially in the early stages when patients are struggling to understand the dos and don’ts of the disease. Most of the rules that people have to follow involve doing away with some of the foods that they previously enjoyed. If you love chocolate, you should know that you do not have to completely do away with it.
Understanding Osteoarthritis
Before getting into how to use chocolate to manage the condition, you should first understand what osteoarthritis is all about. Arthritis is basically an umbrella definition that is given to several conditions that affect joints by causing pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it happens when there is inflammation of the cartilage between joints.
How Does Chocolate Help?
You first need to know that for chocolate to work on osteoarthritis, it needs to be healthy chocolate that is devoid of additives and a lot of artificial sweeteners. How chocolate helps in managing the condition comes from the fact that the cocoa powder used in the making of chocolate has phytochemicals found in plants that help in reducing inflammation. Anecdotal research has found that people who are seeking relevant information on osteoarthritis medications have gotten relief by eating chocolate rich in cocoa.
What Type of Chocolate Works Best for Osteoarthritis?
Many people admit that they love chocolate and anything that gives them a reason to nibble on some is welcome. However, if you have osteoarthritis, everything should be done in moderation. You should also make sure that you are eating chocolate that has more than 70 per cent of cocoa for it to work effectively. Of course, chocolate should be combined with other interventions such as doing regular exercise and eating healthily.
