How to Fight Inflammation with Food
Have you always believed that inflammation is bad? Well, certainly not! Contrary to popular belief, inflammation is not harmful…necessarily. It is the body’s first immune response to any kind of injury. Without the presence of inflammation, our body would be unable to heal and, further, won’t be able to fight pathogens that might be looking for opportunities to intrude.
But the alarm goes off when the inflammation goes a little out of hand. This might be for a prolonged duration of time and might lead to issues like obesity, heart disease, and even cancer. Additionally, the presence of unhealthy fats and sugar in your food might further boost inflammation and lead to excessive activity in the immune system. This leads to damaged blood vessels and joint pain and can indirectly result in tiredness, fatigue, and lack of energy.
So, what is the solution? Well, check your diet! There are various anti-inflammatory foods that, if consumed properly, would enhance your immune system and help you to fight inflammation and pain.
Let’s take a look at some of the best foods to fight inflammation:
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish, or fish with a lot of oil, can help fight inflammation. This is because oily fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their inflammation-fighting properties. Including fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardine in your daily diet is highly recommended. However, if you are not a very big fan of fish, fish oil supplements can do the job for you.
Apples
What could be a better option to improve your immune system than to consume some fruits spaced out during the day? They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. In this case, an apple can keep the inflammation at bay. This is because of the presence of an antioxidant called quercetin in apples which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Pineapples
Another fruit that will help you in reducing the inflammation in your body is a pineapple. Its benefits are not only restricted to fighting inflammation but also help in many other ways. It helps you combat pain due to osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. This is because of the presence of Bromelain in pineapples which is a protein-digesting enzyme that hugely benefits the human body.
Chocolate
Yes, this is what you always wanted to hear – chocolate is not bad for you. Well, in moderation and eating the right type, that is! It comes with a set of essential elements which hugely help you in fighting inflammation. According to a popular study, people who regularly consumed a piece of dark chocolate had lower chances of possessing a protein known to cause inflammation.
Green tea
Not always a favorite, but consuming green tea daily is very effective in the body’s fight against inflammation. It also has other benefits, including reducing the chances of heart disease and many others. But how do you drink something flavorless every day? Simply add a pinch of lemon juice. This will enhance the flavor and charge up the antioxidants to have a more hastened effect on the body.
Broccoli
Green vegetables always prove to be helpful for the body. And broccoli is no exception. It contains a powerful antioxidant in the form of glutathione. Broccoli also has many advantages against diseases like arthritis and thus helps reduce inflammation. You could also try other vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, and others to fight inflammation.
Garlic
Garlic, the immensely useful ingredient, comes with the nagging effect of bad breath. But, to our surprise, garlic is an excellent weapon against inflammation. Garlic has a range of anti-oxidants, including allicin and quercetin, which are highly effective in controlling inflammation. It especially works well on swollen joints to reduce the swelling.
Nuts
One interesting way to keep your appetite full and work towards reducing inflammation would be to keep having some nuts and nutty substances between meals. Walnuts contain a high level of omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid, while almonds are a good source of vitamin E, fiber, and calcium. On the other hand, nuts are high in dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, which help you control inflammation.
Wrapping Up
This is how the right choice of food can help you fight inflammation. However, care should be taken to consume them so that a balanced diet is not compromised.
Need help finding the right foods for your body (and fighting inflammation)? Try one-to-one coaching with me! Click HERE to schedule a Back-To-Balance Breakthrough call to see how I can help.
Reference links:
http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/foods-that-fight-inflammation/
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20705881,00.html#dark-leafy-greens-0
http://www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/foods-that-reduce-inflammation#Fish3
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18806104/
