Foods to Eat or Not Eat on an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Posted on: 24 April 2020
If you are trying to change up your diet to make it healthier and better for your overall health, you may be considering going for more of an anti-inflammatory diet. This can be especially true if you have an inflammatory condition like arthritis that you would like to better manage using natural as well as medical treatment options. To better prepare yourself for an anti-inflammatory diet, get to know some of the foods you should and should not eat on such a diet. Then, you can start grocery shopping and get your diet started as soon as possible.
Do Eat Broccoli
One of the best foods you can add to an anti-inflammatory diet is broccoli. Broccoli falls under the category of cruciferous vegetables. Other vegetables like broccoli include cauliflower, kale, and even Brussels sprouts. All of these have major health benefits when you are trying to reduce inflammation in the body.
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables contain many antioxidants that are said to reduce inflammation in the body. Try to eat broccoli and other similar vegetables at least once a day and you will be well on your way to reducing the inflammation in your body sooner rather than later.
Don't Drink Soda
Soda and other beverages that are sweetened like some teas, coffees, and juices, are not good for inflammation in the body. This is because of the sugar that these beverages contain. Sugar is an inflammatory substance in the body and can cause numerous problems as well as exacerbate inflammatory conditions.
One study, for example, found that consuming foods sweetened with sucrose (table sugar) can cause an increase in uric acid in the body. High uric acid levels are associated with conditions such as gout that can be quite painful and debilitating.
However, if you think that you are fine because your drinks contain high-fructose corn syrup instead, think again. Foods and drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup are similarly inflammatory and problematic to the overall health of the body.
Do Eat Fish
Fish, especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and mackerel, are good for an anti-inflammatory diet. Those omega-3's have anti-inflammatory properties in them and can be quite beneficial to heart health as well. Eating this type of fish one or two times a week will greatly help you in developing your anti-inflammatory diet.
Don't Eat Fried Food
Fried food is bad for you in a variety of ways. This includes causing inflammation in the body. Most fried foods contain added trans-fats which by their very nature increase inflammation. It is best to avoid foods like fast food french fries and the like if you are hoping to reduce your inflammation levels.
Now that you know some foods to eat and others to not eat on an anti-inflammatory diet, you can better take care of yourself and work with your doctor or nutritionist to come up with an anti-inflammatory diet that works for you.
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