Food is nature’s medicine. Did you know that there are foods that can reduce inflammation almost as well as anti-inflammatory medicine? Below is a list of the 5 most anti-inflammatory foods you can consume!
🍓Berries - Berries are small fruits that are packed with nutrients such as fiber, minerals and vitamins. Berries are also full of antioxidants. Specifically, anthocyanins, which can reduce your risk of disease.
Some common and easy to find berries are strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and grapes (yes grapes are a berry!). Load up on these tiny fruits that pack a big nutritional punch.
🍵 Green Tea - You’ve probably heard by now that green tea has many health benefits. Drinking green tea has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and many other conditions in research studies.
Many of the benefits of green tea come from epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG. Research has found that EGCG inhibits inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production and damage to the fatty acids in your cells. Green tea is a great addition to your diet!
🟠 Turmeric - Turmeric, a spice from Southeast Asia, contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory compound that has been known to reduce inflammation from diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and more.
To get the dosage needed for therapeutic effects, its recommended to take turmeric as a supplement.
🐟 Fatty Fish -Fatty fish are not only a fantastic source of protein but also contain the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
EPA and DHA reduce the inflammation caused by several diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. Fatty fish are a great substitute in your diet for heart disease causing red meat such as beef.
🍫 Dark Chocolate - A tasty and nutritious snack, dark chocolate contains flavanols, antioxidants that reduce inflammation associated with the endothelial cells that line your arteries. This healthy snack improves vascular function! Choose dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa to get the most anti-inflammatory benefits.
To stay in the best possible health, diet is key. Choosing foods that are rich in antioxidants will have you feeling your best and keep your body functioning at its best!
