8 Anti-Inflammatory Foods You NEED to Know

Everybody has experienced the discomfort and embarrassment of bloating and the pain of inflammation after eating something that didn’t agree with us. It can hit at the worst times and really put a damper on your day. Most of the time, it’s really hard to pinpoint exactly what we ate that made us feel so terrible because there are so many factors at play! For those that suffer from other forms of inflammation like arthritis, diabetes, COPD, or a variety of other chronic illnesses, dealing with constant inflammation can be a debilitating experience. Luckily, there are certain foods that reduce the symptoms of inflammation that, when incorporated into your diet, can prevent it from impacting your life as frequently or as dramatically!

1. Avocado

Avocados and their popularity in the U.S. has an interesting history surrounding these curious little fruits. In recent years, they have become a staple for health-driven meal plans and diets, as well as used in most households across the country. Avocados possess a great deal of monounsaturated fat and antioxidants that not only help to reduce inflammation but may even help to counteract the body’s inflammatory response to irritating foods if eaten at the same time! Plus, they are delicious and can be prepared in a variety of ways, so why not add more avocado to your diet? 

2. Turmeric

Turmeric’s ability to fight inflammation is not a new discovery by any means. In fact, the benefits of turmeric have been known and used in many Asian cuisines and medicinal practices for a very long time! Is there a science behind why it seems to be so effective in inflammation? You betcha! Turmeric contains a chemical known as “curcumin” which decreases the level of swelling in the body and, voila!

3. Celery

Turmeric isn’t the only food whose chemical properties as an anti-inflammatory are well known. In fact, many nutritionists and health professionals have examined the benefits of eating celery and been able to identify why it is so good for us to eat! Celery has something called “phytonutrients,” that not only help to strengthen the immune system as antioxidants but also calms inflammation as well!

4. Flax Seeds

Adding more flax seeds to any diet is an easy way to start prioritizing your health! These small seeds do not tamper with flavor, so it can be added to a number of dishes. They are so incredibly beneficial to a healthy diet in that in only 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed, over 140% of the daily recommended value of omega-3, a fatty acid crucial to reducing the effects of inflammation, is found! Flax seeds are an affordable and accessible way to reduce inflammation in your life.

5. Beets

When it comes to beets as an anti-inflammatory, they really can’t be beat! Beets have reportedly been used since the times of Ancient Rome as a natural medicine. Recently, however, scientists have looked closely at beets to determine. Cutting through the scientific jargon, beet roots have, indeed, been found to contribute significantly to reducing inflammation and are looked to as a natural supplement for sufferers of chronic inflammation, which certain medications may be ineffective. 

6. Ginger

Ginger, like turmeric, is a type of food with health benefits that have been known about and used by many since ancient times. But what is it that makes ginger so useful in calming the body from a tensed state? There are a lot of aspects of ginger and its composition that contribute to its benefits, notably its possession of 6-shogaol, a unique component of rhizomes found in ginger, that is responsible for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

7. Berries

Berries, berries, berries. Who needs an excuse to eat these delicious little morsels more often? Aside from their refreshing sweetness, berries also offer surprising anti-inflammatory benefits! This is because they often contain polyphenol compounds such as anthocyanins that not only account for the vibrant variance of colors in berries, but also contribute to reducing inflammation! 

8. Broccoli

Many hated this as a kid, but did you really hate the taste of broccoli? Or is that just what Hollywood wanted you to think... As an adult, hopefully you have developed a refined taste for broccoli. That would make incorporating it into your diet a lot easier. Broccoli has a lot of health benefits, including being packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that all contribute to it being an anti-inflammatory superfood.

Though this is not a complete list of foods to combat inflammation, finding ways to add more of these 8 foods into your lifestyle can be easy and really helpful in maintaining your health! For more information like this, make sure to check out the other posts in our blog which gets updated weekly! We also share a variety of recipes that we love, so don’t miss out! 

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