Fruit and veg – the five a day way to healthy joints

We all know that we’re supposed to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. What many people don’t know is why, how much a portion is and which foods actually count.

So let’s start with ‘why’. Fruit and vegetables contain incredibly high levels of the vitamins and minerals that your joints need to stay healthy.  Without eating fruit and vegetables, you won’t be able to get sufficient nutrients to be healthy – all the experts are agreed on that.  Your joints work hard for you, and so they need to constantly rebuild and repair themselves.  They cannot do this without the nutrients found in fruit and vegetables.

Of all the foods we eat, fruit and vegetables contain the highest levels of antioxidant substances.  Without sufficient antioxidants, your joints may become damaged by free radicals (caused by pollution, toxic chemicals, alcohol, stress, poor diet, smoking etc). 

Fruit and vegetables also contain a lot of fibre. This is extremely important for the health of your digestive system.  Without sufficient fibre (and water) we become constipated, retaining toxins within the body.  As your digestive system becomes more full and uncomfortable, it pulls on your lower back; which can put strain on your back and pelvis, and may be part of the cause of low back pain and hip strain.

And it’s not just your joints that benefit.  A diet high in fruit and vegetables tends to lower blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and probably some cancers, lowers the risk of eye and digestive problems and helps to balance blood sugar. This lowers the risk of diabetes, tends to reduce stress levels, helps the immune system and usually assists in balancing weight levels – among other things by keeping your appetite in check.

Compiled by Miriam Elkan