Inflammation Fighting Foods For You
By Sara Butler
Inflammation occurs in the body when something isn’t right. It may be due to injury, infection, or even stress. Even though inflammation is a natural response, the scientific community has found that inflammation plays a significant role in chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and heart disease. So, you must do what you can to fight chronic inflammation in the body – and you can do this with food! Here are a few foods that can help to fight inflammation and disease.
Berries
Cherries, strawberries, and blueberries are great foods to fight inflammation. They are high in a type of antioxidant called flavonoids, which help to combat oxidative stress that is the cause behind chronic inflammation. To get the most out of the berries you eat, don’t cook them. The cooking process destroys the beneficial antioxidants, so opt to eat them raw. They go great in smoothies!
Leafy greens
Kale, spinach, and other leafy green vegetables are packed to the gills with antioxidants as well as phytonutrients that help to counteract inflammation. Phytonutrients include vitamins such as Vitamins C, A, and K. These vitamins have proven to suppress inflammation. Eat them raw or in smoothies – with a few berries thrown in!
Green tea
Green tea is a potent source of antioxidants, making it a superhero in the fight against inflammation. Green tea has been shown to help reduce heart disease risk. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans today. So, have two to three cups per day of green tea to reap the benefits.
Pineapple
Pineapple contains a digestive enzyme called bromelain. It has been found to have properties that help the body to regulate its immune response to help reduce inflammation. Just as with most other fruits and vegetables, you’ll get the most benefit by eating it raw rather than cooked.
Beets
This ruby-hued vegetable contains an amino acid called betaine, which is thought to reduce inflammatory markers. They are also a great source of magnesium and potassium, which also helps to reduce inflammation. You can eat beets cooked or raw – either way you’ll get the benefits!
Inflammation is something you need to take seriously. More and more data is coming in that proves chronic inflammation to be dangerous to your overall health and wellness. So eat up for your health!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.