Rainy Season Joint Pain? Doctor Names Cold Drinks, Sweets as Potential Arthritis Worseners

As Taiwan enters its plum rain season, many individuals suffering from arthritis are reporting increased joint swelling, pain, and stiffness. While weather changes, particularly drops in barometric pressure and rising humidity, are often blamed for exacerbating these conditions, Chinese medicine practitioners highlight the significant impact of daily dietary habits.

According to Kang Han-ching, director of Yi Ming Tang Chinese Medicine Clinic, the conditions are classified in traditional Chinese medicine as "bi syndrome," where external factors like wind, cold, and dampness invade the joints and meridians, obstructing the flow of qi and blood. This obstruction leads to pain and restricted movement. Patients with chronic inflammatory conditions, immune system irregularities, or poor circulation are particularly susceptible to weather-related flare-ups.

However, Kang emphasizes that dietary choices are often overlooked as a major contributor to worsening symptoms. Many people consume cold drinks, ice cream, fried foods, sweets, and late-night snacks to cope with the hot and humid weather. Kang explains that excessive intake of raw and cold foods can impair the spleen and stomach's digestive functions, leading to internal dampness accumulation, which further aggravates joint swelling and inflammation.

High-sugar and high-fat diets are also identified as critical factors in the worsening of arthritis. Kang notes that patients who were previously stable often experience sudden symptom flare-ups after social gatherings, frequently linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks, cakes, desserts, and processed foods. These items promote chronic inflammation within the body. For individuals with high uric acid levels, consuming seafood, rich broths, or alcohol can also trigger acute arthritis attacks.

To alleviate joint discomfort, Kang recommends a diet that strengthens the spleen and dispels dampness while combating inflammation. Foods like barley, red beans, yams, and lotus seeds are beneficial, alongside an increased intake of dark green vegetables, mushrooms, and whole, unprocessed foods. Lean proteins such as fish, chicken, and soy products are advised to reduce the body's inflammatory load. Additionally, regular low-impact exercises like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or Tai Chi, performed three to five times a week for at least 30 minutes, can improve circulation, maintain joint mobility, and prevent muscle loss. For days with poor weather, indoor stretching or core exercises are suggested.

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Joint pain is not entirely caused by the weather; cold drinks, sweets, and high-fat foods can also worsen inflammatory responses, becoming hidden culprits for symptom deterioration.