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An estimated 40 million Americans live with what they describe as chronic pain, and many more suffer from acute bouts of pain. But for some, pain-free living could be a dietary change away.
When people eliminate certain foods from their diets, their symptoms are often eliminated or reduced. Here are some of the worst pain-inducing offenders for headaches, acid reflux and arthritis.
However, results may vary -- reactions are different for every person.
Tomatoes
For the millions of Americans who suffer from heartburn and acid reflux, tomatoes are a chest pain waiting to happen. When you ingest tomatoes or spicy foods, your lower esophageal sphincter has an abnormal relaxation, and it allows the acid contents of the stomach to splash back up into the esophagus. This causes the discomfort known as heartburn.
And although everyone experiences small amounts of reflux every day, some people's acid reflux is so severe that the excessive amount of acid actually breaks down the lining of the esophagus, leading to extraordinary pain.
Citrus Fruits
The acid reflux-inducing nature of citrus fruits can vary from person to person, but the most common offenders are oranges, grapefruits and lemons. As with tomatoes, it is the high acid content of these fruits that causes the pain. The aggravation is the same as well; eating citrus-y foods affects the lower esophageal sphincter in much the same way as tomatoes.
Bacon
Bacon can be the cause of arthritic pain, especially when the meats are deep fried. Bacon may form the internal substances that are responsible for inflammation, and it's this inflammation that leads to increased arthritic pain. And if the prostaglandins and leukotrienes don't get to you, the extra weight you'll put on by eating too much bacon will -- the greatest effect of diet on arthritis is weight control.
Eggs
Eggs contain the same pro-inflammatory agents as bacon. Eggs contain arachidonic acid, and as this acid is broken down by the body, it can lead to the formation of inflammatory prostaglandins. These inflammatory prostaglandins can lead to increased swelling and joint pain.
Cheese
Excess cheese consumption can cause pain in several ways. One may be a reaction to the protein found in the cheese -- very similar to an allergic reaction. This can lead to inflammation.
Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are among of the most consumed beverages in the United States. This "liquid candy" is so ubiquitous that it contributes to about 10 percent of the calories consumed in the average American diet. And diets that are high in sugar have been associated with inflammation, since excess sugar consumption can lead to obesity, which is known to cause joint pain and swelling.
The average 12-ounce can of soda contains 136 empty calories and 33 grams of sugar -- the equivalent of 11 sugar packets or more in every can.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, and too much of it may affect concentration and can cause a nasty "chocolate hangover" for some. Different kinds of chocolate affect people differently, which could be due to the amount of cocoa or caffeine found various kinds of chocolate in chocolate.
Wine
Drinking too much wine can cause just about anyone to get a headache, but for some people drinking even a tiny amount of wine will bring on a vicious migraine, nausea and flushing. It was previously believed that red wine headaches were caused by sulfites in the wine, but it is now thought that the only people who have a reaction to the sulfites in red wine are people who already have sulfite allergies.
Instead, wine headaches may be caused by the amino acid tyramine, which have been shown to induce migraines in many people. Wine headaches could also be caused by the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
Processed Meat
Processed meats such as lunch meat, hot dogs and sausages contain chemicals such as nitrites that are associated with increased inflammation and chronic disease. This is partially due to the unhealthy fats used in preparing and processing these foods, especially trans fats.
Potato Chips
Potatoes are part of the nightshade family. Members of this family of plants has been associated in the past with increased inflammation and arthritic pain. Certain proteins in potatoes may also trigger a bad reaction in some people, quite similar to an allergic reaction. This reaction could cause painful migraines or arthritic flare-ups.
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