As I wrote about a few weeks ago, the foods we eat and the chemicals we expose ourselves to in our environment can have a profound effect on our health. In my last post, I talked about some of the foods to avoid to reduce inflammation. Below I talk about some of the foods that might be helpful in the battle against chronic inflammation.
Berries: Berries of all types contain anti- inflammatory antioxidants called anthocyanins. These antioxidants help fight free radical damage and have been shown to boast the immune system and reduce heart disease.
Fatty Fish: Fatty fish such as salmon, trout, sardines, herring and anchovies are an amazing source of omega 3 fatty acids. In addition to being important for brain and mental health, omega-3’s are an important anti inflammatory for the body.
Green tea: Green tea is high in a substance called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG decreases inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and damage to the fatty acids in your cells.
Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer due to their high antioxidant levels.
Mushrooms: Eating mushrooms may help reduce inflammation in the body. However, cooking mushrooms seems to reduce their anti-inflammatory powers so it is best to eat them raw or lightly cooked.
These are just a few of the foods that can help you control the inflammation in your body. There are so many other foods that offer powerful anti -inflammatory properties. Focusing on eating a diet rich in whole foods that are minimally processed is your best bet for a long and healthy life.
