Fight Inflammation With The Right Foods

The true story between inflammation and us

Inflammation is a protective mechanism of our body. It plays an essential role in healing and injury repair to keep our bodies safe and healthy. However, there’s a thin line between protective and overprotective. Excessive inflammation in the body crosses that line. At this point, inflammation starts harming our normal body functioning. The important thing to understand is that inflammation is usually a sign that something is wrong with our bodies. The underlying cause needs to be identified.

Prolonged inflammation can contribute to the development of various diseases. Specifically within the gut, inflammation can give rise to a range of undesirable health symptoms, including chronic constipation, fatigue, and irregular menstrual periods.

Chronic or low-grade inflammation can lead to a number of problems like:

• Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
• Cancer
• Anxiety and depression
• High blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Allergies and asthma
• Skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis
• Arthritis

Many studies have been conducted to understand the link between our dietary habits and inflammation. Certain foods increase inflammation, while others prevent it. Let’s have a look at what these are.

Pro-inflammatory foods: What to steer clear of

• The saying “we are what we eat” holds true, as the food we consume has a significant impact on the levels of inflammation in our bodies. Certain foods can increase the risk of inflammation and should be avoided as much as possible, as they can also affect weight and overall health. Here is a list of some pro-inflammatory foods to be mindful of:
• Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries
• French fries and other fried foods
• Soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
• Red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage

Weight gain itself can increase the risk of inflammation. So, watch out for these foods and your weighing scale!

Anti-inflammatory foods: Foods to embrace

To ward off excessive inflammation in our body, the best tip would be to follow a natural and healthy diet. Staying away from processed and fried foods is a good start. Instead, start adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. It is believed that eating food rich in antioxidants can help bring down inflammation levels. This includes foods like berries, cherries, plums, red grapes, onions, turmeric, green tea, and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach.

Indeed, making dietary changes can be challenging, but it becomes necessary if you are at risk of excessive inflammation. Taking control of your food intake, incorporating regular exercise into your routine, and maintaining a healthy weight are important measures to protect yourself from the adverse effects of inflammation.