The Natural Ways to Combat Rheumatism (Including Italian Wine)

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating conditions that a person can have. Over time, it can cause many areas of your body to feel like they’ve seized up. At times, the pain can almost feel unbearable.

Perhaps you or a loved one already struggle with the condition. Hopefully, you are fortunate enough to not be in this position. But regardless, everybody reading this probably has the same question on their minds…

Why are you talking about arthritis on an Italian wine blog?

If you’ve read our blog for a while, you know that everything we share relates to the topic of Italian wine. And in this article, we’re going to share a new discovery that may shock you.

Italian wine may be able to help you to soothe the symptoms of rheumatism!

We’re going to dig into this and several other natural techniques that you can use to dull those aches and pains. Hopefully, those who struggle with the condition right now will find something useful that they can use in the future.

Here are the best natural ways to combat rheumatism.

Technique #1 – Italian Red Wine

To understand how red wine may be able to help you fight against this condition, you must first understand the effects that it has on your body. Rheumatism causes inflammation in the areas that it affects, with this inflammation being the source of much of the pain that sufferers feel.

In past articles, we’ve talked about a certain compound in red wine called resveratrol. If you’ve read some of those articles, you already know that this compound is an antioxidant that plays a large part in why Italian red wine is so good for the heart. But it’s also the compound that makes it so effective in battling inflammation.

That’s according to the US-based Arthritis Foundation. According to their website:

“Red wine has a compound in it called resveratrol, which has well-established anti-inflammatory effects.

“Studies have shown wine consumption is associated with reduced risk of knee osteoarthritis, and moderate drinking is also associated with a reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis [where the immune system attacks joints].”

The discovery was made after a study that examined the drinking habits of 2,000 people with arthritis. Interestingly, the same study also concluded that drinking beer can actually cause flare-ups. This further leads to the conclusion that the resveratrol in red wine is the chief reason for the drink’s effectiveness against arthritis.

Of course, this is by no means a comprehensive way for you to tackle your condition. After all, you won’t be able to drink red wine to excess, as this can have damaging effects on your body. However, a glass per day may be enough to help soothe the inflammation that causes a lot of your pain. And if you combine that glass of wine with the other techniques that we will cover in this article, you may find that red wine is a powerful tool in your battle against rheumatism.

Technique #2 – Rosemary

Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary is a herb that’s long been used in an array of health treatments. It’s also common in cosmetics. But what you may not know is that the apothecaries of time gone by used to grow rosemary because it was believed that the herb could have a soothing effect on pain.

More modern studies show this to be true, at least in regards to arthritis and inflammation.

Chemical tests show us that rosemary contains several valuable vitamins and minerals. It’s also rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. As such, you can use it as a natural way to treat your arthritis. And the studies show us that you get additional benefits related to memory, concentration, and overall cognition.

Rosemary is commonly used in aromatherapy treatment, so this may be the best way to use it yourself. Imagine enjoying a nice glass of red wine in a rosemary-infused room. Even without the direct pain-relieving benefits, that scenario already puts us at ease!

Technique #3 – Managing Your Weight

While it is beyond us to make any judgements about people’s lifestyle choices, the fact is that those who are overweight tend to struggle more with rheumatism. There are several reasons for this. Carrying extra weight puts additional strain on your joints, which can lead to flare-ups of the condition. And beyond this, many who are overweight often make dietary decisions that result in them eating foods that cause inflammation.

Of course, managing your weight isn’t as simple as many make it sound.

In terms of diet, shifting away from processed foods can help. Such foods are often a source of inflammation. Plus, eating more natural foods means that you’re getting a greater amount of the nutritional value from these foods.

When it comes to exercise, you may find that your arthritis limits many of the activities that you can engage in. If this is the case, stick to low-impact exercises, such as walking, cycling, and swimming. These will help you to stay fit without placing undue stress on your joints.

Technique #4 – Try a Little Turmeric

We know turmeric as a spice that people commonly add to their foods. It’s especially popular in Indian culture. But what you may not know is that it also has anti-inflammatory effects.

This may seem strange, due to it being a spice.

However, a recent study of rats found that turmeric reduces inflammation of the joints. Unfortunately, there are no human studies that demonstrate the same effects at the time of writing. But it’s likely that the effects would replicate and there’s no harm in adding a little turmeric to your diet to find out.

The Final Word

It’s amazing to see that Italian red wine has even more powerful healing properties than we’d ever anticipated. Combined with the other techniques on this list, a glass of wine per day may be able to help you with your rheumatism.

All that’s left is to get your hands on some Italian red wine. At Xtrawine, we offer thousands of vintages in our online store. Check out our catalogue today!