Emma Miller
Inflammation is at the root of most arthritis pain. Arthritis is an extremely common disease. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, it is important to follow an effective diet to avoid the accompanying painful symptoms.
With this in mind, experts recommend avoiding corn oil in cooking. Why? Inflammation is at the root of most arthritis pain, especially pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of autoimmune arthritis. Eating anti-inflammatory foods can reduce swelling in arthritis, but it’s also important to be aware of foods that can cause painful inflammation.
Corn oil is high in omega-6 fatty acids, and experts classify it as the evil twin of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to help relieve joint pain, while omega-6s can cause inflammation. Unfortunately, baked goods and snacks made with corn oil are synonymous with inflammation.
Instead, experts recommend nuts, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds as healthier alternatives that contain joint-healthy omega-3s. Corn oil is a refined vegetable oil widely used in cooking and especially in deep frying. It also has many other uses and is commonly used for industrial purposes or as an ingredient in cosmetics.
To produce corn oil, corn must undergo a complex refining process. This process gives the oil many unique characteristics, although not all of them are positive. According to the Arthritis Foundation, polyunsaturated oils contain two types of essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6.
The health charity added: “Omega-3s are found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts and are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. “Omega-6s are found in oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, and vegetable, as well as in products made with them.
“Excessive consumption of omega-6s can cause the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals. “They’re not particularly bad and shouldn’t be avoided, but you don’t want them to dominate your intake.” When it comes to other foods to avoid when cooking, salt is another big risk factor for increased inflammation.
A study on mice showed that those who ate more salt had worse arthritis symptoms. “Interestingly, researchers have suggested that high sodium intake may be a risk factor for autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory arthritis,” said the nutritionist.
