The Body Part That Wants You to Go Green

Your knees love it when you go green. We don't mean environmentally green, although they appreciate it when you take the stairs and when you take your bike for a spin instead of the car (strong leg muscles keep your joints healthy). We mean eating green. Filling your meals with this color can go a long way toward preventing arthritis. Here's what to reach for:

Leafy greens. An awesome flavor-filled salad or side dish could mean one less knee replacement surgery in the world. The vitamin K in leafy greens -- think cabbage, spinach, and swiss chard, for starters -- reduces your risk of joint damage. People who have the highest levels of K are less likely to develop the bone spurs and cartilage damage that are common in osteoarthritis. (A word of caution: If you're on blood thinners, check with your doctor about whether vitamin K is safe for you.) Leaves just not your thing? No problem. Broccoli and asparagus make tasty alternatives. Find out how these veggies help prevent diabetes, too.

Green tea. Potent compounds in green tea -- EGCG and ECG -- may help battle cartilage and collagen destruction in arthritic joints. The EGCG and ECG found in green tea are powerful flavonoids known as catechins. These particular flavonoids fight inflammation and some of the underlying mechanisms that mess with knees in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Bonus: Sipping it before you do that knee-preserving workout may help you burn fat faster. Here's how.

Joint pain becoming a problem? Take this quick quiz to find out what's causing it and what you should do about it.