Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be extremely challenging due to the pain and discomfort it brings. In addition to medication, adopting a healthier lifestyle with a focus on a nutritious diet, plenty of rest, exercise, and stress management can help alleviate symptoms and reduce joint inflammation associated with the disease.
One enjoyable way to incorporate functional anti-inflammatory foods into your diet is through homemade iced tea. Not only is it refreshing and delicious, but certain teas have fantastic anti-inflammatory properties that can help combat inflammation linked to arthritis.
“Tea can be beneficial,” says Dr. Mahsa Tehrani, a rheumatologist. “Tea has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with the underlying inflammation associated with arthritis.”
Before adding therapeutic teas to your diet, consult your doctor to ensure they won’t interact with any medications. Once you have the green light, try out these 5 iced tea recipes known for their anti-inflammatory benefits:
1) Ginger Mint Iced Tea
Ginger and mint tea is not only soothing for your palate but also for your joints. Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties, similar to pain relief drugs, making it a great choice for arthritis sufferers.
Directions:
- Boil 6 cups of water, then add diced ginger and mint tea bags.
- Steep for 8 minutes, strain, add honey, and cool before serving over ice.
2) Blueberry Green Iced Tea
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and improve joint health. Green tea, on the other hand, contains compounds that benefit arthritis sufferers.
Directions:
- Boil 6 cups of water, steep green tea bags, then blend with blueberries.
- Strain, cool, and serve over ice with lemon slices.
3) Strawberry Nettle Iced Tea
Strawberries are low in sugar but high in antioxidants and vitamin C, perfect for combatting inflammation. Nettle leaf extracts are known to reduce inflammation in the body.
Directions:
- Simmer strawberries, vanilla extract, and nettle leaf in water.
- Steep, strain, cool, and serve over ice.
4) Rosehip Iced Tea
Rosehip is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that has been shown to reduce pain in inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
Directions:
- Steep rosehip tea bags in boiling water, cool, and serve over ice with mint leaves.
5) Lemon Iced Black Tea
Black tea contains quercetin, an anti-inflammatory compound that can help reduce inflammation in arthritis.
Directions:
- Steep black tea bags in boiling water, add lemon juice, sweeten with honey, and serve over ice.
Sources
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Best Beverages for Arthritis
- The effect and safety of highly standardized Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) extract supplementation on inflammation and chronic pain in NSAIDs poor responders. A pilot study in subjects with knee arthrosis
- Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Green Tea Compound, EGCG, May Be A Therapy For People With Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Best Fruits for Arthritis
- Inhibition of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) by Medicinal Plants in Relation to Their Phenolic Content
- Rosehip – an evidence based herbal medicine for inflammation and arthritis
- Quercetin reduced inflammation and increased antioxidant defense in rat adjuvant arthritis