Millions of arthritis sufferers across the UK have been warned about two common fruits that could worsen their health symptoms. Arthritis, which triggers pain, swelling, inflammation and difficulties with movement, currently has no cure, though symptoms can be controlled.
Diet and Arthritis
What you eat can have a substantial effect on the condition, either easing or aggravating it. The Physicians Committee has identified particular foods as "pain triggers", including apples and tomatoes.
The report stated: "While genetic factors are important, studies show that lifestyle factors, including diet, play a role. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, a diet change could help you, and perhaps even eliminate your pain entirely. In research studies, many people who cut out certain trigger foods find that their pain improves or goes away."
"When those foods are gone, so is the inflammation. A survey of more than 1,000 arthritis patients revealed that red meat, sugar, fat, salt, caffeine, and nightshade plants most commonly worsen the condition."
The Role of Solanine
Both apples and tomatoes contain solanine, a glycoalkaloid poison primarily found in nightshade family species. Research published in the Arab Journal of Nuclear Sciences and Applications in 2013 examined the connection between solanine and arthritis.
The study suggests: "Solanine is a toxic compound produced in nightshades family such as potato, tomato and eggplant when exposed to light. The current study was carried out on 18 female postmenopausal albino rats to investigate the effect of solanine on the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis."
"The data of the present study showed that old age and postmenopausal suffering from arthritis and joint swelling must eliminate or avoid the nightshades plants to alleviate the joint pain and also decrease the destruction of the tissues."
Nevertheless, the credibility of this assertion has been questioned by other health bodies. The Arthritis Society Canada recommended monitoring individual responses to foods containing solanine.
New Developments in Treatment
In separate developments, scientists have recently found that a medicine which regulates blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes can also help patients with particular autoimmune diseases. The medication, Canagliflozin, influences T-cells – which normally play a role in combating infections but can mistakenly target healthy tissue in autoimmune conditions.
Consequently, Canagliflozin's effect on these cells could assist over 400,000 individuals in the UK who live with rheumatoid arthritis and another 50,000 with lupus.
