Science shows a direct connection between diet and inflammatory arthritis.

Heres how you’re able to craft your meals to promote healing, not hurting.

Achy joints in your hands can make typing or writing difficult.

A sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and turkey on whole grain bread

The earliest symptom is pain in the smaller joints, such as the fingers and toes.

Recognizing early signs of arthritis is crucial for timely intervention and management.

Francisco Contreras, director of theOasis of Hope Medical Institutein Tijuana, Mexico.

Person selecting one of four colorful soda bottles. Article context: Food

Wright added that joint pain doesnt typically happen immediately after eating processed meat.

Rather, a diet high in processed meat can result in joint pain years later.

Gluten (maybe)

Its a common belief that cutting out gluten can help with joint pain.

Grilled sausage skewered on a fork against a plain background

Is there any truth to it?

But for individuals who arent sensitive to gluten, cutting it out likely wont make a difference.

Some people are sensitive to gluten even though they are not necessarily celiac, Wright said.

Close-up of a pile of crispy French fries

With this in mind, Wrights advice is to try cutting out gluten for three months.

If you dont notice any difference, go ahead and add it back into your diet.

But anecdotally, she said it does help alleviate symptoms for many people with arthritis.

Hands pressing dough on a yellow surface, scattered with flour, for bread or pizza making

First, the breakdown of alcohol creates inflammatory compounds.

In other words, it causes an inflammatory response, which can then trigger symptoms.

An imbalance of gut bacteriacan trigger rheumatoid arthritis.

Group of people cheerfully toasting with plastic cups of beer

If you have any questions about managing your joint pain, talk to your health care provider.

Treating your pain may take more than diet changes alone.

But revamping your diet is a great place to start.

Assorted fresh fruits and vegetables spread out on a surface, highlighting variety and freshness

Your entire body will be better for it.This article originally appeared onHuffPost.