Inflammation has both beneficial and harmful effects. One positive aspect is that it boosts your immune system, making you more resistant to illness and harm. Diseases can develop in response to persistent inflammation. It’s possible that factors like stress, inactivity, and inflammatory diets could raise the likelihood of this happening. Certain foods, however, have been shown in research to reduce chronic inflammation. All forms of arthritis pain, especially those associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other immunological forms of arthritis, can be traced back to inflammation. Fortunately, inflammation may be treated in many ways, including through physical activity, medicine, and a special anti-inflammatory diet. The body’s natural response to injury or illness is inflammation, which also serves to defend the body from further harm. It’s an important step towards getting better in most circumstances. However, some individuals suffer from a health problem that prevents their immune systems from functioning normally.
The dysfunction may cause chronic or intermittent low-grade inflammation. Many disorders, including psoriasis, osteoarthritis, and asthma, are characterized by persistent inflammation. There is mounting evidence that a change in diet might alleviate symptoms. Intake of processed foods and alcoholic beverages is discouraged or restricted. An anti-inflammatory diet is more of a philosophy than a set of rules to follow. Anti-inflammatory diets include the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. The immune system can get a boost from anti-inflammatory foods, and inflammation can be reduced by eating them. Several diseases and disorders, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, have been associated with persistent inflammation. It has been suggested that eating a diet low in inflammatory foods could help reduce inflammation in the body. Antioxidant-rich foods have the potential to aid in preventing cell damage. The health benefits associated with eating anti-inflammatory foods are discussed in this article.
What are the top anti-inflammatory foods?
Inflammation can be triggered or made worse by certain meals. This could happen if you eat a lot of sugary or processed foods, but it wouldn’t so much if you ate mostly fresh, healthy foods. Fruits and veggies are the mainstays of an anti-inflammatory diet. High levels of antioxidants can be found in many plant-based diets. However, some foods promote the production of free radicals. Foods like those fried in oil that is heated and re-heated several times are a good example. Antioxidants in meals are substances found in food that aid in the detoxification of the body by eliminating free radicals.
Some biological activities, such as metabolism, produce free radicals as byproducts. But, the number of free radicals in the body can be raised by external causes like stress and cigarettes. Free radicals can cause cell damage. This harms the immune system and can cause or contribute to many different diseases. Antioxidants found in food are helpful in addition to the antioxidants the body produces. The anti-inflammatory diet prioritizes antioxidant-rich foods above those that promote free radical generation. Oily fish, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, may help lower levels of inflammatory proteins. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that fiber may also have this impact. The anti-inflammatory ideas behind many current diet trends are not new. Heart-healthy fruits and veggies, fatty fish, and fats are staples of both the Mediterranean and DASH diets.
The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy oils, may help reduce the impact of inflammation on the heart and lungs, which is thought to have a role in the development of heart disease. For many diseases, especially those exacerbated by inflammation, an anti-inflammatory diet may be an effective supplemental treatment.
Following are the top anti-inflammatory foods
Berries
Berries are a type of fruit that is both tiny and very nutrient-rich. The anthocyanins found in berries are powerful antioxidants. Potentially beneficial in lowering illness risk, these substances have anti-inflammatory properties. Natural killer (NK) cells were found to be considerably higher in those 25 adults who ingested blueberry powder daily compared to those who did not. Identical results were found in both studies. Natural killer (NK) cells are made by your body and aid in maintaining a healthy immune system. The inflammatory markers linked to heart disease were found to be much lower in persons with overweight who consumed strawberries compared to those who did not.
Broccoli
Nutritionally, broccoli is towards the top. Like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale, it belongs to the cruciferous family of vegetables. Consuming a diet rich in green vegetables has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer. The antioxidants included in them may be responsible for this, as they reduce inflammation. Sulforaphane, an anti-oxidant found in abundance in broccoli, has been shown to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB).
Avocados
Avocados are a good source of potassium, magnesium, fiber, and monounsaturated fats, which are good for your heart. Carotenoids and tocopherols, found in several foods, have been shown to lower the risk of developing cancer. Avocados include a chemical that may help reduce inflammation in young, developing skin cells. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and C-reactive protein were reduced in a 12-week trial involving 51 obese adults who consumed avocados.
Green tea
Green tea is often considered to be one of the finest drinks available. There is evidence linking its consumption to a lower risk of several diseases and health issues, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and more. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, especially those of a compound called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, are responsible for many of its positive effects (EGCG). The generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cellular injury to fatty acids are both suppressed by EGCG.
Peppers
The vitamin C and flavonoids found in bell peppers and chili peppers provide them potent anti-inflammatory benefits. The anti-inflammatory antioxidant quercetin found in bell peppers has been linked to a decrease in chronic disease-related inflammation. Cinnamic acid and ferulic acid are found in chili peppers, and they may help reduce inflammation and promote healthy aging.
Mushroom
There are hundreds of types of mushrooms around the globe, but only a handful are grown professionally because they are edible. Mushrooms like portobello and shiitake are included on this list. Mushrooms are nutrient-dense and low in calories, boasting high concentrations of the minerals selenium and copper as well as all of the B vitamins. Anti-inflammatory phenols and other antioxidants are included in them as well. Lion’s mane mushrooms are a unique variety that has shown promise in reducing low-level inflammation caused by obesity. Contrary to popular belief, however, boiling mushrooms greatly reduces their anti-inflammatory components. Because of this, eating them raw or barely cooked may be optimal.
Grapes
Anti-inflammatory anthocyanins can be found in grapes. Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, being overweight, Alzheimer’s disease, and eye issues are only some of the ailments they may help prevent. Resveratrol is another antioxidant component with many health benefits, and grapes are one of the main sources of it. Resveratrol has been shown to reduce inflammation in the heart. There was a reduction in inflammatory gene markers, such as interleukin 6, in a group of 60 persons with heart failure who took resveratrol twice a day for three months (IL-6). The grape extract was found to boost adiponectin concentrations in men in a 2012 study. There is a correlation between low amounts of this hormone and the development of obesity and cancer.
Turmeric
Curry and other Indian cuisines frequently feature turmeric because of the spice’s warm, earthy flavor. Curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient, is a big reason why it’s gotten so much attention. Curcumin, or turmeric, has been found in studies to lessen swelling, making it useful for treating conditions including diabetes and arthritis. Curcumin (1 gram) and piperine were shown to improve metabolic syndrome symptoms in a single trial. A decrease in C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation, was seen. Turmeric contains a little amount of the anti-inflammatory compound curcumin, but it may be difficult to consume enough of it to feel its effects. It’s possible that taking curcumin tablets containing pure curcumin would be far more efficient. Piperine is frequently added to curcumin pills because it increases curcumin uptake by up to 2,000%. There is a need for more studies on the effects of different turmeric doses on inflammatory markers.
Extra virgin olive oil
When it comes to fats, extra virgin olive oil is among the healthiest options. It’s a mainstay of the healthy Mediterranean diet and a great source of heart-friendly monounsaturated fat. Researchers have found that those who use extra virgin olive oil had a lower incidence of cancers of the brain and heart. C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory markers were shown to be considerably reduced in people who took 1.7 ounces (50 mL) of olive oil daily for 12 months as part of a Mediterranean diet trial. Researchers have shown that oleocanthal, an antioxidant contained in olive oil, has a similar impact to that of ibuprofen, another anti-inflammatory medicine. Keep in mind that the anti-inflammatory properties of extra virgin olive oil are even stronger than those of refined olive oils.
Cherries
Cherries are tasty and include anti-inflammatory antioxidants including anthocyanins and catechins. While more research has been done on the medical benefits of tart cherries, delicious cherries also have their own set of advantages. The inflammatory marker CRP was shown to be considerably reduced in a group of 37 elderly adults who drank 16 ounces (480 mL) of tart cherry juice every day for twelve weeks. Different research, however, found that 30 days of daily consumption of tart cherry juice had no impact on inflammation in fit teenagers. Cherry’s potential to lower inflammation needs more study.
The Bottom Line
Inflammatory response at any level is harmful to health. Try eating a diverse range of tasty, antioxidant-rich foods to reduce inflammation. Some foods, like peppers, dark chocolate, seafood, and extra virgin olive oil, can assist in reducing inflammation and hence minimize the risk of sickness. Some frequent health disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, may benefit from a low- or no-inflammatory diet. There is no one “anti-inflammatory” diet, but eating lots of fresh produce, whole grains, and healthy fats may help. Anyone suffering from a long-term inflammatory disease should consult a doctor about the optimal nutritional choices for their specific situation. To lessen inflammation, some have found success by switching to a vegetarian diet.
A 2019 study assessed results from 40 separate research. Researchers found that vegetarians and vegans tend to have lower levels of several inflammatory markers. In 2017, researchers examined information from 268 participants who were either strict vegetarians, Lacto-Ovo vegetarians, or nonvegetarians. Based on the results, it seems that consuming animal products may raise the danger of developing inflammatory processes and insulin sensitivity. One of the potential advantages of a vegan diet was suggested by a 2014 study, which found that participants’ inflammation levels were significantly reduced.
Sirisha B