Nutrition and Injury Recovery: The Best Foods to Speed up Healing Time

For those suffering from an injury, as little downtime as possible should always be the goal. Surprisingly, diet may also play a critical role in speeding recovery time and reduce the pain associated with trauma. With the addition of nutrient-rich foods on a daily basis, injured individuals may accelerate the healing process, returning to full function within a much shorter span of time.

Adequate dietary protein, fat, vitamins and minerals are all critical in the healing process. Many foods contain surprising levels of these nutrients and when combined, facilitate tissue regeneration, inflammation reduction, healthy blood flow and immune system function.

Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant compound. It has been the subject of extensive study and shows excellent promise for conditions such as muscle sprains and ligament injuries. Curcumin also acts as an antibacterial and antiviral agent, further protecting the injured area. It may even be used on external wounds to speed the healing process. Because it is a powerful anti-inflammatory, curcumin may also reduce pain associated with injuries by reducing swelling in the surrounding tissues. For a more concentrated dose, curcumin may be taken in capsule form.