Inflammatory Foods to Avoid
Inflammation is defined as the body's response to an infection or an injury. The inflamed area of the body generally turns red and causes a lot of pain. The swelling, that is clearly visible in the affected area, may subside within a few days. Many health conditions such as heart diseases are linked to inflammation. Chronic inflammation is generally the onset of a serious illness, and immediate medical attention is essential to diagnose the problem.
Inflammatory Foods to Ditch
Inflammation in the body can also occur due to intake of certain foods. Constituents of some food items may trigger inflammatory reactions in the body. One can consult a doctor to know the complete list of inflammatory foods. Staying away or restricting intake of these foods can assure long-term health benefits. Inflammatory foods also increase the chances of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure. Hence, many people prefer to avoid inflammatory foods to avert any health problems. One must be very cautious while eating inflammatory foods, as excess consumption can pose various health risks. Following are the foods that display inflammatory properties:
Junk Food: Also referred as fast food, this kind of food can also bring about inflammation in the body, quite fast. In order to decrease inflammatory activity in the body, it is necessary to avoid junk food.
Red Meat: Red meat consumption can trigger inflammatory activity in the body. Studies show that a cut back in red meat can reduce inflammation observed in rheumatoid arthritis. Red meat, also referred as the most inflammatory foods, include hotdogs, hamburger, and pork. Instead, eating lean meat is a safer option to prevent inflammation.
Alcohol: Excess alcohol consumption is one of the contributory factors that can cause inflammation. Research findings suggest that alcohol abuse actually aggravates the pain from inflammation.
Deep-Fried Foods: One needs to eliminate intake of fried foods as they are categorized as inflammatory foods. Stay away from foods such as chicken nuggets and french fries for optimum health.
Dairy Products: One cannot simply avoid intake of these foods as they are high in minerals and vitamins. Restricting intake of these foods, however, is essential to prevent inflammation from getting worse.
Foods High in Sugar: Intake of high sugary foods has also been linked to inflammation. Foods high in sugar such as beverages (soft drinks), cakes and pastries, etc., need to be avoided. A high sugar diet also promotes weight gain, which may lead to obesity.
Processed Foods: These foods contain ingredients that are simply not good for our health. Most of these packaged and pre-processed foods are loaded with additives such as artificial sweeteners and flavors. Processed foods, such as onion chips, contain a high amount of trans and saturated fats that can contribute to inflammation. Besides containing nasty additives, these foods contain preservatives that may damage health.
Vegetables: Inflammation that is commonly associated with arthritis can worsen if vegetables such as tomatoes and potatoes are included in the diet. However, healthy individuals should have tomatoes (in moderation) as they have high nutrient value.
Remember, reduced inflammation means less pain, which is quite possible by knowing which foods to discard. A healthy diet will contain inflammatory foods in minimal amounts. Keep in mind that an anti-inflammatory diet can reduce inflammation, promote good health and help to avoid other medical problems.
