Inflammation is a nasty word when you’re trying to keep your health up, especially if it causes you to change your diet entirely. There are certain foods that you love more than life, and it probably kills you to think you’d have to give them up. Before we get too deep into that, however, we’re going to talk about the causes of inflammation and exactly what the condition means for you.
Examining the Causes of Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can manifest itself in many different ways and there are several different causes including:
- Standard American Diet (SAD)
- Refined Sugars
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Hydrogenated Oils
- Insufficient Sleep
- Stress
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Toxins in Environment
So you know what causes it, but how exactly does it manifest? What are some of the things that you need to look out for? Some of the most common symptoms of inflammation include acne, allergies, joint pain, digestive problems, fatigue, and even depression. That’s right, depression is a pretty common side effect that you need to watch out for.
Treating the Inflammation
The first thing you might consider is going on anti-inflammatory medications, and while your doctor might recommend that, there is actually a diet that you can make use of in the meantime. If you follow the right diet, you might end up with results that don’t necessitate using medications at all! Let’s take a quick look at the different foods you can use to get a favorable result and stop the inflammation.
Blueberries
You couldn’t have seriously thought you wouldn’t find blueberries on this list. They’re literally on EVERY list that promotes health and well-being. They’re a superfood that contains a massive range of antioxidants which include resveratrol and Gallic acid (among others), both of which have a positive effect on inflammation.
Ginger
Ginger has immune boosting properties and is rich in compounds that are perfect for fighting inflammation. In addition to that, it helps with pain relief, making it a perfect addition to your diet.
Cacao
This is the same as cocoa, but unroasted, and so it contains twice the antioxidants of its roasted brother. It is also a rich source of magnesium which can help to reduce inflammation significantly.
Turmeric
You’ve heard of this one before, of that we have no doubt; it’s an antioxidant and has serious anti=inflammatory properties. The best part? It shows great promise and results in treating chronic disease.
Green Tea
Just like the blueberries, you HAD to expect this one to be here. If you drink a lot of coffee, try replacing at least one cup with green tea – you’ll thank us.
Leafy Greens
It seems kind of inevitable that we’d have leafy greens on here. They’re a favorite, filled with antioxidants and all of the essential vitamins. Some of the favorites include swiss chard, watercress, dandelion greens, mustard greens, and of course, collard greens.
These are some great foods that will help you to lower your risk of inflammation- not to mention they can be crafted into some really tasty dishes. Stopping inflammation doesn’t have to be boring, or bland, it just takes some commitment and a desire to become a better you.
