If you experience back pain, you're not alone. Between 11 and 40% of adults in the United States have either chronic discomfort or high-impact pain. Fortunately, consuming certain foods and beverages, including those below, can help reduce your physical distress and improve your overall health.

What to Eat When You Have Back Pain

1. Kale

Kale is low in calories, full of calcium, and packed with essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, which helps explain why this green, leafy vegetable is known as a superfood. Whether you eat kale cooked or raw, it's an excellent choice for reducing inflammation and building spinal support that relieves back pain.

2. Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil contains a natural compound known as oleocanthal, which responds to body pain like ibuprofen. This oil is packed with antioxidants and can reduce inflammation to ease back pain. Saute your kale with chili flakes and heart-healthy olive oil for a double dose of natural pain-relieving ingredients and great flavor.

3. Coffee & Fruit

If you're a coffee fan with back pain, pour another cup. A mug of coffee provides pain-reducing polyphenols, which are natural anti-inflammatory compounds found in plants. Pair your coffee with pancakes topped with fresh blueberries, strawberries, and cherries for a delicious breakfast that boosts your polyphenol level even higher and reduces the amount of back pain you experience.

If chronic back pain interferes with your daily activities, get help from Carolina Doctors Med Care in Sanford, NC. Residents throughout Lee County depend on this health care provider for a wide range of services, including occupational medicine, weight loss programs, diabetes care, and minor surgery. Call (919) 774-3680 to speak with a compassionate staff member about your situation and schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn how these medical professionals can help you achieve comfort and better health.