Foods Arthritis Sufferers Should Avoid

Aspartame

Aspartame is an artificially-produced sweetener that can have a negative effect on an individual's pain perception. In the past, many rumors have circulated about the effects of aspartame on the body. Many of them, like the rumor aspartame causes epilepsy, aren't based on any scientific fact. However, there is research supporting the idea aspartame may increase pain perception by triggering neurons, and this has been associated with arthritis. Many diet sodas use aspartame as a no-calorie sweetener, which can also sometimes be found in low-calorie or no-calorie mints and gum. Some sugar-free gums use aspartame, but there's a range of less potentially-harmful low-calorie sweeteners that can also be used.