If you’re living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and working to manage your symptoms, some drinks are more beneficial than others. Drinking beverages that hydrate and add antioxidants to your system may help prevent flare-ups.
PsA typically affects small joints throughout the body, causing symptoms of pain and inflammation. It may also affect large joints. Early diagnosis and treatment of the condition are key to managing its symptoms and preventing future joint damage.
If you have PsA, you may be looking to help reduce the pain and swelling associated with your condition. In addition to the treatment prescribed by your doctor, you may want to consider certain lifestyle modifications to help ease your symptoms.
PsA has a wide spectrum, with multiple factors that contribute to disease severity and risk of flares. For people with severe PsA, hydration or antioxidants may not be enough to completely prevent a flare.
There’s no specific diet for PsA, but being mindful of what you put in your body can help you learn triggers and avoid a flare-up.
The following are safe drinks for people with PsA, as well as the ones to limit or avoid.
Tea
Most teas are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help your body fight off oxidative stress that can trigger inflammation. Adding tea to your diet may help lower some stress on your joints caused by the chronic inflammation of PsA.
Tea also acts as a diuretic, so be sure to keep drinking water as well to maintain your hydration.
Water
Water helps keep your system hydrated. This helps the body get rid of toxins and may, in turn, relieve some inflammation. When you’re well hydrated, your joints have better lubrication.
Drinking water before a meal may also help with weight management. If you drink a glass of water before you eat, you may fill up faster and eat less.
Maintaining a moderate weight is important if you have PsA because it will put less stress on your joints, especially in your legs. Excess weight also is associated with increased inflammation.
Coffee
Like tea, coffee contains antioxidants. Yet there’s no evidence that coffee also offers an anti-inflammatory effect for people with PsA.
Also, like tea, coffee has diuretic effects, so be sure to stay hydrated with water on the side if you’re drinking coffee.
Plus,
Alcohol
Alcohol can have several negative effects on your health, including weight gain and an increased risk of developing liver disease and other conditions.
There isn’t much research on the effects of alcohol on PsA. However, one
Alcohol consumption can also lower the effectiveness of psoriasis treatment. It may also negatively interact with medications used to treat PsA, such as methotrexate.
If you have PsA, it’s probably best to avoid alcohol or significantly reduce the amount you drink.
Dairy
Dairy may make your PsA worse. Some
Sugary drinks
It’s advisable for people with PsA to avoid drinks high in sugar. This means soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, mixed coffee drinks, and other beverages that contain added sugars.
Consuming too much sugar can lead to increased inflammation and weight gain, which can worsen PsA symptoms. To avoid putting extra strain on your joints due to weight gain, it’s best to avoid drinks that contain a lot of sugar or added sugar.
The most common way to manage PsA symptoms and help prevent complications is with medication prescribed by your doctor. You may also want to consider making changes to your diet, for instance, the beverages you drink.
Ideal drinks for PsA include green tea, coffee, and plain water.