Benefits of Honey and Vinegar to Relieve Stiffness

No cure exists for individuals who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or joint stiffness. And most people with arthritis take medication to help them deal with their painful condition. However, some natural remedies also exist that may help reduce the stiffness experienced from rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the inflammation it can cause. These natural remedies are honey (bee venom, to be exact) and apple cider vinegar.

Arthritis and Stiffness

• Rheumatoid arthritis is one cause of stiffness in the body joints, and it occurs when the body's immune system (white blood cells) start attacking bone-joint linings. This causes inflammation and subsequent bone-joint stiffness. Other types of arthritis that cause stiffness (osteoarthritis and gout) occur due to cartilage deterioration around the joints or a build-up of uric acid in the joints, respectively. In addition to prescribed medication, some dietary items are considered helpful in reducing joint stiffness.

Honey

• There are many nutritive properties to honey, including its ability to provide quick energy as a natural carbohydrate. But the ability of honey (with its bee venom) to reduce inflammation in our bone joints is the benefit most valuable to those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. This bee venom can also prevent infection, according to the online website benefits-of-honey.com.

Bee Venom and Inflammation

• In the fall of 2002, the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine published its findings on the benefits of bee venom for those who suffer from arthritis. Dr. Modrvakowski and Harry Schutte performed testing on lab rats to determine the validity of bee venom in reducing inflammation. The results showed that bone-joint inflammation (at least in animals) can be significantly reduced through the use of bee venom.

Stiffness and Inflammation

• When inflammation is reduced, stiffness is reduced as well. And the Ohio University study hypothesized that bee venom is successful in reducing inflammation by decreasing the body's production of interleukin---a chemical messenger in the body that is responsible for drawing white blood cells (inflammation cells) to parts of the body that are potentially infected.

Vinegar Pectin and Toxins

• But honey doesn't appear to be the only food item that can be helpful in reducing stiffness; apple cider vinegar appears to be helpful as well. According to the online website naturalnews.com, the apple pectin in apple cider vinegar helps to remove toxins from the body, reducing their build-up in bone joints.

Vinegar Acid and Digestion

• According to naturalnews.com, the acid found in apple cider vinegar aids the body's digestive process. This helps us to absorb needed nutrients and avoid the mineral deficiency experienced by those with arthritis, thus reducing stiffness resulting from such deficiencies.