Known Anti-Inflammatory Foods
While the index itself may not be ready for consumer use just yet, there’s no need to wait until it is to start eating an anti-inflammatory diet.
Thanks to copious research done by doctors and scientists all over the world, we know of many foods that have been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Here’s a brief list of foods you might include in your own anti-inflammatory diet:
1. Turmeric(4)
2. Wild fish(5)
3. Ginger(6)
4. Dark leafy greens(7)
5. Extra virgin olive oil(8)
6. Blueberries(9)
7. Sweet potatoes(10)
8. Certain types of tea(11)
9. Avocado(12)
10. Seaweed(13)
Building Your Anti-Inflammatory Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet is not a diet in the typical sense – while you may shed a few pounds just from sticking to healthy foods and avoiding inflammatory foods like simple carbohydrates, it’s not intended as a weight-loss program specifically. It is intended to reduce chronic inflammation in the long-term, meaning it requires commitment and an understanding of how the foods you eat affect your body.
Getting plenty of dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and protective phytonutrients is essential to the anti-inflammatory diet. Make sure your diet is diverse and includes a variety of fruits and vegetables from all across the color spectrum – berries tomatoes, dark leafy greens, and orange and yellow fruits. Try to minimize the amount of alcohol you drink, prioritizing red wine when you do consume alcohol. Stay hydrated and eat cruciferous vegetables like cabbage regularly.
Don’t focus on eating too much of one thing – rather, eat some of everything in moderation. Pay attention to how you feel after eating new foods or cutting certain foods out of your diet – let your body be your teacher, and you’ll soon learn what works for you and what doesn’t in terms of reducing inflammation… and reducing your risk of cancer by extension.