My pain management doctor at Arizona Pain Specialists puts out a monthly publication entitled 'Arizona Pain Monthly' and this month it features how foods can reduce chronic pain.

I'll just list what it says:

Anti-inflammatory foods:

cold water fish (salmon, tuna, halibut), green beans, garlic, almonds, strawberries, chickpeas, mint, green tea, broccoli, olives, flaxseed, lemon, olive oil, avocados, dark chocolate and spicy peppers (capsaicin, the component that makes peppers spicy, reduces the formation and release of a neuropeptide in the body that is associated with the inflammatory process).

Inflammatory Foods to Avoid:

refined sugars (white sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup), chemical sugar sweeteners (NutraSweet, Equal), MSG, alcohol, caffeine, fast food, nitrates (hot dogs, processed meats), and night shade vegetables (tomatoes and potatoes).