You may not know this, but most of the food consumed on a daily basis actually has a non-natural inflammatory effect on our bodies.
Inflammation can lead to many diseases such as diabetes, heart problems, autoimmune diseases, gut disorders, arthritis, and cancer.
Refined sugar, refined flours, industrial seed oil, alcohol, red meat, and processed food like sodas or chips can also inflame our bodies without us being aware of it.
Luckily, there is food that can do the opposite, which can also be delicious. It only takes creativity and willpower to get into healthier habits.
How does inflammation happen?
Inflammation is a self-protecting mechanism that our bodies trigger when we injure ourselves or catch diseases such as infections or viruses.
It happens when the body increases its production of white blood cells, immune cells, and substances called cytokines that help fight external injurers.
Free radicals are reactive molecules that form after digestion because of pollution, UV rays, food additives, and preservatives. An excess of them is one of today’s most common causes of inflammation since they weaken and damage healthy cells.
Also, an excess of Omega 6 fatty acids can lead to inflammation of the organs.
To eradicate these, a diet supplied with antioxidants and omega 3 rich oils is the way to go.
- Berries
No matter what type of them you eat, they are full of an antioxidant called anthocyanins, a substance forming their vibrant colors.
High antioxidant levels is what works against free radicals in our bodies.
- Avocado
You’ve probably heard avocados are packed with healthy fats, but what does that really mean?
Two of the most known fatty acids are Omega 6 and Omega 3. They are both necessary for our bodies to function. But these days, due to the vast amounts of industrial seed oils consumed, Omega 6 is excessively high within society.
Omega 6 increases inflammation, which, as mentioned before, is vital for immune response in many cases; but, an excess of it is what can become unhealthy.
On the other hand, Omega 3 is a fatty acid that reduces inflammation, and avocado has lots of it. This quality is incredibly excellent for diseases such as arthritis.
- Broccoli
Broccoli is packed with antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamins C and K, which are great for reducing inflammation.
But it is Sulforaphane that makes it even more amazing for us. It is a potent phytochemical that works as an antioxidant, detoxifying and reducing inflammation in general.
- Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as spinach and kale protect our stomach microbiota, which leads to healthy digestion.
And healthy digestion overall reduces the production of free radicals. Keeping in mind that the faster and better we digest food, the more energy our body can invest in healing and recovery.
Not to forget that spinach and kale are a complete plant source of amino acids and vitamins.
- Chia Seeds
Chia seeds combine high levels of antioxidants and Omega 3 in only one ingredient.
Having one tablespoon of chia seeds a day mixed with oats or granola can be a fast and easy way to fight free radicals and reduce inflammation.
But what about water when it comes to inflammation?
Another reason for inflammation is having an acid body, which can unfortunately happen when your drinking water brings sediments, certain minerals and even contaminantes that mix into the water supply through pipelines.
Luckily there’s a way of fixing this issue by installing a whole house purification system at home.
Consider reading our article Why should you have purified water at home.
At Continental Smart Solutions, we are experts on this topic and are glad to help. Check the rest of our blog posts to find out more about it.
Contact us if you need guidance, we’re glad to help.
