If you fall and scrape your knee, your body sends a rush of chemicals and cells to the injury site to help heal it and fight potential infection. That’s the kind of acute inflammation that’s necessary to keep you healthy.
But when your body continues that inflammation process on a long-term basis, the results can be disastrous. In fact, chronic inflammation is a factor in virtually every notable disease, from type 2 diabetes and heart disease to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia.
Chronic inflammation can make it difficult to lose weight, interfere with your sleep, and cause issues with digestion. Unfortunately, the standard American diet is full of inflammatory foods: vegetable oil; gluten and refined carbs; fructose and artificial sweeteners; peanuts; corn; and industrially farmed meat, dairy, and eggs.
Luckily, one of the easiest and most effective ways to fight inflammation is also with your diet! Foods with omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and certain nutrients are natural anti-inflammatories. By consuming them regularly in your meals or as supplements, you can lower your risk for inflammation and its harmful effects.
Below are my top 15 foods to fight inflammation, and each one is linked to recipes and more helpful information. Keep this list of inflammation fighters handy:
- Chia Seeds
- Flaxseed
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Turmeric (a.k.a. Curcumin)
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Salmon
- Yellowfin Tuna
- Green Leafy Vegetables (like spinach, kale, and chard)
- Bone Broth
- Coconut Oil
- Dark Chocolate
So what are your favorite recipes using the foods above? Like us on Facebook and share your ideas!
