Water: Its Good for Your Joints-but Decaf Isnt

The benefits of hydrating your body by regularly drinking water should come as no news. But for arthritis sufferers, it has special importance. Think of your cartilage as a sponge. Every time you take a step, you put the equivalent of three times your weight on your knees and hips. That compresses your cartilage, like a sponge, squeezing out water which carries with it the nutrients that are absorbed by the synovial fluid in your knee. This continual fluid exchange is important to maintaining healthy, flexible joints.