We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
A list of Anti inflammatory foods to help aid in digestion and other bodily processes
Believe it or not, inflammation is one of the most common reasons behind minor aches and pains that we experience on a daily basis. Things such as headaches, sore joints, back pain and even toothaches can all be attributed to inflammation as the main cause of concern and likely the culprit behind your discomfort. For that reason, I felt it was important to research and report on what healthy foods we can eat in order to help reduce inflammation and live a healthier and “pain free” life.
1. Oatmeal
One of the most common questions asked when it comes to anti inflammatory foods pertains to oatmeal. We know oatmeal is great for getting that extra fiber intake and helps aid in digestion, but is oatmeal anti inflammatory?
The answer is YES!
One of the major benefits of eating Oatmeal is that it contains copious amounts of vitamins and minerals including:
- Manganese
- Phosphorous
- Copper
- B Vitamins Thiamine and Pantothenic Acid
- Folate
- Zinc
- Iron
- Anti-oxidants
Oatmeal’s high level of anti-oxidants (free radical fighting substances) combined with the powerful protein and whole grain content that it boasts, makes it a superfood, but what really creates the powerful anti inflammatory responses is the Avenanthramides.
Avenanthramides are polyphenol compounds (that also happen to be antioxidants) that increase the levels of nitric oxide in the blood which dilates the blood vessels creating lower blood pressure and a healthier heart rate. The kicker here is that not only are avenanthramides super important for reducing inflammation, but oats are one of the only foods, aside from certain (unpopular) types of cabbage, to contain them.
2. Berries
Another super healthy food to eat if you are seeking anti inflammatory properties is berries! Any type of berries will do, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and even blackberries can all help aid in the fight against inflammation.
Berries contain a very important antioxidant called Anthocyanins which have been proven to be extra beneficial in reducing inflammation, reducing heart disease risk and could even boost immunity. The best part of all, is that berries are super delicious and very easy to add to your current diet.
TRY THIS ANTI INFLAMMATORY SMOOTHIE RECIPE: TRIPLE BERRY SMOOTHIE
3. Broccoli
Broccoli contains a ton of healthy nutrients that are great for your body but did you know that it’s also known for it’s quick acting anti inflammatory properties too? These fun, and tasty green trees are packed with vitamins and minerals but the one responsible for fighting that nasty, unwanted, inflammation is Sulforaphane.
Although, known for it’s unpleasant smell, sulforaphane also helps to reduce your levels of Cytokines which are the culprit behind many types of inflammation. In reducing these, you are more likely to see reduced inflammation and a healthier blood pressure overall.
4. Avocados
Avocados are super great for weight loss, but they also exhibit anti inflammatory properties as well. Packed with healthy, monounsaturated fats, and cancer fighting carotenoids, avocados truly are a superfood.
They’re also super tasty, and very easy to add to your diet. Try slicing them up and adding them to a salad, or mash them up and make a delicious guacamole recipe to dip some chips into. I also really love this avocado toast with egg recipe for an easy and healthy breakfast that won’t make you feel guilty!
5. Green Tea
It’s no secret that green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you could possibly drink. Full of antioxidants and natural healing properties, green tea is most known for it’s anti inflammatory responses… and rightfully so! It contains a unique antioxidant, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which has been linked to reversing the damage done to fatty acids within your cells, which often leads to inflammation.
Another astonishing fact about Green tea, is that it can actually reduce inflammation almost immediately after consumption, making it a super sensational natural medicine for many different pains and ailments. People suffering from arthritis, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and even some types of cancer can all find relief in the healing properties of green tea.
So if you’re suffering from any type of chronic, debilitating, pain that just won’t seem to let up, definitely try consuming some of these top anti inflammatory foods and see if maybe your pain is contributed to inflammation like so many others.
