Anti-inflammatory diet: which foods should you eat?

What exactly is an anti-inflammatory diet?

An anti-inflammatory diet is an eating plan designed to reduce chronic inflammation in the body.

As a reminder, inflammation is a healthy, natural response that helps the body defend itself against attack. It only becomes a problem when it persists and starts to damage healthy cells (this is called chronic inflammation or a proinflammatory state).

A lack of exercise, high stress levels and poor dietary habits can all trigger low levels of permanent inflammation in the body. Referred to as ‘meta-inflammation’, this can pave the way for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (1).

What health benefits are provided by an anti-inflammatory diet?

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet offers numerous benefits for health:

Reduction in inflammation

By reducing chronic inflammation, you relieve joint pain and lower the risk of developing inflammatory conditions (cartilage, skin, and respiratory tract problems …) (2).

Strengthening of the immune system

High in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, this diet stimulates your immune system, improving your defences against infection (3).

Improvement in cardiac health

Many ‘anti-inflammatory’ foods are also known to benefit cardiovascular health. They reduce cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and protect against heart disease.

It’s also now well-documented that reducing your consumption of inflammatory foods is an effective strategy for preventing cardiovascular disease (4).

Weight control

An anti-inflammatory diet involves eating natural foods and limiting processed ones, which are high in both saturated fats and added sugars. This is important for reducing inflammation, as well as for preventing obesity and maintaining a healthy weight (5).

Mental well-being

An anti-inflammatory diet can also have an impact on mental well-being. By providing the brain with essential nutrients, it helps to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression (6).

Which foods should you focus on in an anti-inflammatory diet?

Certain foods are particularly good at helping to reduce inflammation and should therefore feature in a diet of this type.

Berries, powerful antioxidants

Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and raspberries are all fruits packed with antioxidants. These compounds protect cells against damage caused by oxidative stress, a major factor in inflammation.

Berries also have a low glycaemic index (GI). This means they will not cause a spike in blood sugar levels, elevated glycaemia being another pro-inflammatory factor.

To get the most from berries’ benefits, eat them raw as a snack. They can also be added to smoothies or your breakfast cereal.

Leafy green vegetables, invaluable nutritious aids

Leafy green vegetables and certain legumes are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They are also excellent sources of fibre, and thus help maintain a healthy gut microbiota, as well as reducing chronic inflammation.

Rocket, kale and spinach can all be consumed in soups and salads to increase your intake of essential nutrients. Add a little olive oil and you have the perfect combo!

Citrus fruit, for vitamin C and bioflavonoids

Lemons, oranges and grapefruit are all health-beneficial citrus fruits rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, substances with recognised anti-inflammatory effects.

Oily fish, rich in omega-3

Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega-3, unsaturated fatty acids known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

As well as reducing inflammation, these compounds support good cardiac, visual and brain health. Try to include oily fish in your anti-inflammatory diet at least twice a week.

Oleaginous fruits, a source of healthy fats

Nuts and seeds contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, fibre and antioxidants. They are thus excellent for reducing inflammation and providing the body with essential nutrients.

Good options are almonds, cashew nuts and hazelnuts, perfect for including in an anti-inflammatory breakfast. Add them to salads, cereals or yogurt to benefit from their nutrients.

Anti-inflammatory spices

Good news for fans of spicy dishes: certain spices used by most home cooks have anti-inflammatory properties.

One such spice is turmeric, the active ingredient of which, curcumin, is a powerful antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory (7). The same goes for the gingerols in ginger (8).

Note: as turmeric is poorly absorbed by the gut, you may want to take a dietary supplement specially formulated to offer a better rate of absorption (such as Super Curcuma).

What are the inflammatory foods to avoid?

As part of an anti-inflammatory diet, it’s best to avoid, or at least reduce, your consumption of proinflammatory foods. This also goes for certain drinks including alcohol.

Processed foods

Processed foods include ready-meals, mass-produced snacks and sugary drinks. Though convenient, their composition can contribute to inflammation.

Such products are high in saturated fats, chemical additives and added sugars. Much better to focus on fresh, natural ingredients!

Red meat (should be consumed in moderation)

Red meat such as beef and lamb are often high in saturated fats. That’s why eating excessive amounts can increase inflammation (9).

If you can’t give red meat up altogether, then limit your intake to a few servings a week.

Dairy products, inflammatory foods to avoid?

Dairy products high in saturated fats also contribute to inflammation. By all means eat dairy foods, but choose low-fat options. Skimmed milk, low-fat yogurts and hard cheeses are better choices for an anti-inflammatory diet.

Which supplements can help restore inner equilibrium?

Are you keen to boost the effects of your diet and restore your inner balance? If so, you have the option of complementing your anti-inflammatory diet with a specially-formulated dietary supplement.

InflaRelief Formula is a formulation with broad-spectrum activity which contains 12 totally natural ingredients, carefully selected to produce synergistic effects.

This combination of the best anti-inflammatory substances includes extracts of turmeric, ginger and nettle, bromelain, quercetin, rutin and ‘cat’s claw’.