15+ Foods That Fight Inflammation

Inflammation is caused when your body senses an invader such as  infection, illness, or injury & is trying to protect itself. As part of the response, your body increases its production of white blood cells, immune cells, & substances called cytokines that help fight infection.

Indicators of inflammation include swelling, redness, increased temperature, pain & loss of function.

While natural inflammation is a good thing for your body to heal & repair itself, too much over long periods of time can have damaging results.

What you consume in you diets can have a great effect on inflammation throughout the body. Conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, sinus issues & other diseases that cause inflammation can benefit from foods that are anti-inflammatory.

Foods That Cause Inflammation

1. Processed sugar and high-fructose corn syrup

2. Artificial trans fats

3. Vegetable and seed oils

4. Refined carbohydrates (soda)

5. Excessive alcohol

6. Processed meat

Although you won’t necessarily be able to avoid foods that cause inflammation completely, the best recommendation would be to limit your intake. Enjoy that piece of cake - just not on a daily basis.

Health Risks of Inflammation

With chronic inflammation, your body's inflammatory response can eventually start damaging healthy cells, tissues, & organs. If left untreated, this can lead to DNA damage, tissue death & internal scarring.

1. Heart disease

2. Certain types of cancer

3. Lung damage

4. Skin conditions (psoriasis)

5. Bone damage

6. Linked to depression

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Incorporating these foods into your daily diet will aid in the process of alleviating inflammation caused by chronic conditions or to encourage healthy functions.

1. Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries & black berries)

2. Fatty Fish (salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, anchovies)

3. Broccoli

4. Avocado

5. Green Tea

6. Peppers

7. Mushrooms

8. Grapes

9. Tumeric

10. Olive Oil

11. Dark Chocolate (your welcome)

12. Tomatoes

13. Cherries

14. Nuts

15. Leafy Greens

Another great benefit is most of the foods listed have antioxidants which fight off free-radicals that can be damaging (premature aging, heart disease, & certain cancers).

Overall, a well balanced diet including these foods will not only reduce inflammation but will also improve mood, sleep, physical activities & quality of life.