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Foods That Fight Inflammation

  • Author by Raazi
  • Reviewed By Raazi
  • Last Edited : January 1, 1970
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Before diving deep into the healing effects of foods relative to inflammation, one must know what inflammation is. Well, ‘this is the localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes red, swollen, hot and painful, specifically as a reaction to injury or infection. 

Suppose this process persists for a long term, comprising months to years. In that case, it is referred to as ‘Chronic Inflammation, which is often associated with disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and other cardiovascular anomalies.

  • Turmeric’s curcumin blocks inflammation pathways, offering relief comparable to some anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Mushrooms like Lion’s Mane specifically target obesity-related low-grade inflammation.
  • Green tea’s EGCG compound reduces inflammatory cytokines and protects fatty acids in the body.
  • Chili peppers’ capsaicin not only fights inflammation but also improves metabolism and pain relief.
  • Dark chocolate’s flavanols support artery health while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

There are four prominent signs of inflammation which include;

  • Redness on skin
  • Swelling of the affected area
  • Heat
  • Pain
  • Loss of function

Causes of Inflammation

There are both environmental and dietary factors involved in the etiology of inflammation. Some ecological inflammatory response triggers include dust, plant pollens, invading microbes, and chemicals. Similarly, the foods having inflammatory effects include:

  • Refined carbohydrates like white pasta, white bread and pastries
  • Fried foods like French fries, potato croquettes
  • Carbonated beverages like soda and sugary drinks
  • Red meat of all kinds, including junk, steaks and processed food items
  • Butter

In short, any food item that is highly processed, overly greasy, and super sweet is not a good choice, whether you have inflammation or any associated symptom. One should try to limit all these food items to prevent inflammation.

Foods That Fight Inflammation

The above discussion has shown that foods have both kinds of properties. It shows inflammatory as well as anti-inflammatory effects in its different forms.  

Inflammatory Foods

  •  Fried Foods
  •  Sodas
  •  Refined Carbohydrates
  • Lard
  •  Processed Meats

Anti-inflammatory Foods

  • Tomatoes
  • Fruits 
  • Nuts
  • Olive oil
  • Leafy Greens

A Review of Anti-inflammatory Foods

Any health care professional or mainstream nutrition expert would encourage a person to inoculate anti-inflammatory foods into the daily diet. Some items of the respective category include:

Fruits and Vegetables

A healthy diet suggests getting a regular intake of fruits and vegetables of all colors through the diet. Different research studies have declared that intake of vitamin K-rich green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, and cabbage reduces inflammation. 

Fruits in this category include cherries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and oranges. They are easy to access and referred to as natural ways of treating inflammation.

Whole Grains

Intake of fiber-rich foods helps more to fight against inflammation. All whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and other unrefined grains are enriched with fiber and prove effective while treating inflammation.

Beans

Nutrients packed with fiber and antioxidants are the best therapy to treat inflammation. They are available in various forms, so they can be easily incorporated into the meals and enjoyed in the best possible therapeutic ways.

Nuts

Nuts contain healthy fats in their composition, which helps to stop inflammation. Nuts include olive oil and avocados. But they should be taken in the desired concentration because if taken in excess, they merely show calories adds up, which is terrible for the health.

Fish

The standard recommendations say that fish should be a part of a regular diet and should be taken at least twice a week. Fish has omega-3 fatty acids, which better fight against inflammation. And the category includes salmon, sardines, and tuna, which should be taken twice a week.

Herbs and Spices

These food items contain essential antioxidants and are basic coloring and flavoring agents. They not only add colors to the food but also give it a fantastic flavor. These include; turmeric and garlic. 

Turmeric is commonly found in curry powder and shows anti-inflammatory properties in the form of a substance in its composition called ‘Curcumin’. Similarly, the use of garlic helps to fight against inflammation.

Green Tea

It is one of the healthiest beverages that anyone can have. It is not only a healthy choice to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders like cancer, obesity, and stroke, but also proves the best anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pill. 

It is a top choice to fight against inflammation because of containing a substance in its composition named ‘Epigallocatechin-3-gallate’ (EGCG). 

This substance removes inflammation by limiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, key factors that induce inflammation. 

This substance is also responsible for reducing the damage to the fatty acids in the body. So, one can enjoy the beneficial effects of this healthy beverage anyway of his choice.

Peppers

Bell peppers and chilli peppers contain high concentrations of vitamin C and antioxidants in their composition, which gives them powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Bell pepper contains an antioxidant substance called ‘Quercetin’, significantly reducing the risk of inflammation associated with chronic diseases like diabetes.

 Chilli peppers contain substances known as ‘Sinapic acid’ and ‘Ferulic acid’, which fight against inflammation and give the body a healthy look.

Mushrooms

Multiple varieties of mushrooms are edible and grown commercially worldwide. These food items are very low caloric and contain beneficial nutrients like selenium, copper, and B vitamins. The presence of antioxidants and polyphenols in their composition gives them unique anti-inflammatory properties. 

These common varieties include Portobello and shiitake mushrooms, which can be easily incorporated into the diet. 

However, there is a special mushroom called ‘Lion’s mane, which is highly effective in stopping low-grade inflammation related to obesity. 

Nutrition recommendations suggest mushrooms should be eaten in raw form because if we cook them, their essential nutrients might lose, which loses their efficacy in treating inflammation. Thus, they should be opted to take in raw forms.

Dark Chocolate and Cocoa

Dark chocolate is a delicious food item that is also easy to access for men. This food item contains antioxidants that give dark chocolate anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties. Flavanols are present in chocolate, which are also anti-inflammatory and help keep the endothelial cells of the arteries healthy. 

Cocoa proves an effective anti-inflammatory pill if taken along with dark chocolate. 

Tomatoes

Tomato is like a nutritional powerhouse and is consumed on high scales worldwide. This vegetable item is enriched with vitamin C, potassium, lycopene, and antioxidants, which give them effective anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the effects of [pro-inflammatory substances, which are highly linked with causing inflammation. 

Thus, the intake of tomatoes can be the best first-line therapy to stop the effects of inflammation. No one can deny considering food as an anti-inflammatory pill.

Takeaway

Inflammation is not a dangerous phenomenon at all. It has both good and bad effects. In one way, it defends the body against infection and injury, and chronic inflammation might come up with disease causation in another way. 

Stress, low levels of physical activity, and certain types of foods can cause the symptoms of inflammation. However, some selected nutrient-rich food items can help to mend the damage.

Foods That Fight Inflammation

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