I’m a doctor – here’s what you should eat if you have back pain

A chiropractor in Illinois shared on TikTok that eating blueberries can prevent annoying back pain.

Dr. Chicago-based Jeff Winternheimer posted a video this week saying that blueberries, which are packed with nutrients like antioxidants that reduce inflammation, are the ideal food to avoid and prevent this type of pain.

“The most important food to eat every day if you have back pain is blueberries,” he said in the video, which has been viewed 80,000 times.

“Eat more blueberries.”

Eating foods rich in antioxidants, like these berries, could quell the pain symptoms that affect more than 130 million Americans.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends eating one cup of blueberries once a day.

Dr. Jeff Winternheimer, a chiropractor in Chicago, posted a video this week saying that blueberries, which are packed with nutrients like antioxidants that reduce inflammation, are the ideal food to prevent back pain.

About 40 percent of Americans experience back pain, which amounts to more than 130 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Often considered a “superfood,” blueberries are packed with nutrients that support various aspects of health. These include fiber, vitamins C and K and manganese. Manganese is a trace mineral that helps the body form connective tissue and bones and promotes blood clotting.

They are also low in calories, with one cup containing only 84 calories.

These nutrients can reduce back pain by relieving inflammation, which can lead to chronic pain.

Additionally, blueberries are considered one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits. Antioxidants are compounds in foods that neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and increase the risk of chronic disease.

A 2019 study in the journal Nutrients suggested that “consuming whole blueberries daily may reduce pain, stiffness, and difficulty performing daily activities” in people with osteoarthritis in their knees.

In addition, a small one 2012 study of 10 female athletes found that eating blueberries can speed up muscle recovery after intense leg exercises, leading to less pain.

Research shows that blueberries can also reduce pain in other areas. A Swiss study published in the journal Nutrients in May, eating blueberries was found to reduce abdominal pain in people with gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Nearly 40 percent of Americans experience back pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which amounts to more than 130 million people.