Indian scientists have come up with a list of foods that could help battle rheumatoid arthritis.

Olive oil, blueberries and green tea are among the foods they say has shown to combat the symptoms of the crippling condition, according to a report by the Daily Mail.

Researchers at KIIT University in India, urge patients to incorporate these foods in their diet to slow down the progressive disease.

Currently there is no cure for the condition that causes pain, joints stiffness and swelling.

"Regular consumption of specific dietary fibres, vegetables, fruits and spices, as well as the elimination of components that cause inflammation and damage, can help patients to manage the effects of rheumatoid arthritis,” Dr Bhawna Gupta, from KIIT University told the Daily Mail.

FOODS TO HELP TACKLE ARTHRITIS

OILS

**Olive oil
* Fish oil
* Borage seed oil

FRUITS

*Dried plums
*Pomegranate
*Grapes
*Peaches
*Apples
*Mango
*Bananas
*Grapefruit
*Blueberries

LEGUMES

*Black soybean
*Black gram

HERBS

*Sallaki
*Ashwagandha

WHOLE GRAINS AND CEREALS

*Wheat
*Canary seed
*Oats
*Corn
*Rye
*Rice
*Barley
*Sorghum
*Millets

DAIRY

*Yoghurt

SPICES

*Ginger
*Turmeric

TEA

*Green tea
*Basil  tea

These foods have lower oxidative stress. They also help reduce joint stiffness and pain "by lowering inflammatory chemicals released by the immune system called cytokines", the report stated.

Dr Gupta also recommends patients to adopt a plant-based diet, quit smoking and alcohol, and take probiotics.