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Foods Rich in Vitamin C Reduce Risk of Arthritis

            Inflammatory polyarthritis (IP) is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that affects more than one joint. Research appearing in the July, 2004 issue of the Annals of Rheumatic Disease [63(7):843-7] shows a connection between low consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and the development of IP. The research is based on a survey of over 20,000 people in the United Kingdomin a prospective, population based, nested case-control study involving men and women between 45-74 years of age. The subjects were recruited during a four-year period between 1993 and 1997; dietary intake was assessed at baseline using seven-day diet diaries. IP developed in 73 of the participants between 1994 and 2001. The researchers found that low consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables was associated with a higher risk of developing IP. Those with the lowest intake vitamin C-containing foods, compared with the highest, increased their risk of developing IP more than threefold.

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