Joint pain is a common condition. Backs, knees, and wrists are all susceptible, and anyone who experiences joint discomfort searches for relief. The answer can be as simple as eating the right foods, and here's why.

When joints begin to break down, they're no longer supporting your bones in quite the same way. Unfortunately, aging isn't always the reason joints become unhealthy. Swelling and pain progress as a result of injury, disease, or hereditary factors. The result: movement is restricted and pain becomes an everyday companion.

The swelling in aching joints develops from inflammation, which can either be reduced or increased, depending on what you eat. Here are some pain-relieving foods.

Cherries are rich in antioxidants and contain nutrients that relieve inflammation, stiffness, and pain. In one study, subjects consuming one-half pound of cherries a day for four weeks noticed significant joint pain relief. Cherries are an anti-inflammatory food in any form -- fresh, cooked, or canned. Tart cherry juice is another way to treat joint pain, arthritis, and gout.

Bell peppers contain vitamin C, which helps support free radicals. These damaging molecules harm the body and speed up aging. Sweet peppers are just one of the antioxidant-rich foods. Find recipes containing mushrooms, onions, butternut squash, broccoli, or cauliflower to add even more antioxidant benefits.

Salmon is known for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, an unsaturated fatty acid that provides health benefits for both the body and brain. Instead of a diet of red meat, which is higher in salt and cholesterol, get your protein through salmon and other oily fish like halibut, bass, tuna, snapper, or cod. The high content of omega-3 fatty acids in fish supports inflammation of swollen joints.

Green Tea has been around for centuries and has always been popular for its health benefits. Green tea is less processed than black tea, so it's rich in catechins, antioxidants. You can drink several cups a day to get the most benefits.

Wine is another suggested anti-inflammatory, but be sure to limit intake to moderate amounts. Wine contains the compound resveratrol, which has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Likewise, beer, especially wheat beer, also relieves inflammation. Beer contains polyphenols, an antioxidant that mimics anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

While joint pain can't be eliminated, many see improvement by eating foods rich in antioxidants.