Inflammation is a natural part of the body’s immune response, helping prevent infection from harmful bacteria that may enter through a cut or damaged skin. When our body is at risk for infection, inflammation comes to our body’s defense! It sends a signal for nutrient-rich blood flow and white blood cells to address any harmful bacteria and begin the healing process in the infected area.
Long-term inflammation, also known as chronic inflammation, is different. It can be triggered by foreign substances such as cigarette smoke, dietary lifestyle, or event constant stress from everyday life. This type of inflammation can be painful, negatively affect daily life, and manifest in many health issues such as:
digestive problems
skin disorders like psoriasis
joint pain like arthritis
type 2 diabetes
cardiovascular disease in the form of heart attacks or strokes
Many people ask: “What foods am I eating and how are they causing health issues?”. Let’s flip that question to ask: “What foods am I not eating, and how is that causing health issues?”.
Fortunately, there are some key foods that have proven to prevent or lessen the effects of chronic inflammation, improve health, and decrease risk of further disease.
Amazing Antioxidants: Nature’s Anti-Inflammatory Medicine
When you think of pain from inflammation your first move may be to head towards that medicine cabinet. Did you know that certain foods contain antioxidants, which are substances that play an active role in scavenging the body for inflammation-causing troublemakers that can make us feel tired or sick?
Adding any of the options listed below may make the difference between constant pain or feeling well enough to live the life you deserve. Antioxidants are found in many like fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Another unexpected source of antioxidants are found in herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.