Learn more about what foods cause inflammationand what to eat instead.

Science backs up the importance of the matter.

But do you know what foods cause inflammation?

Sugar in metal measuring cup

Credit:Blaine Moats

White blood cells start to attack healthy tissues and organs, causing a chronic inflammatory process.

Often you might not even notice the slow shift from healthy to inflamed.

Many times, chronic inflammation is triggered without a visible cause.

Sweet ‘n Low, Splenda, Equal, and Truvia Sugar Packets

Credit:Marty Baldwin

Everything from environmental toxins like pollution to work and relationship stress and more can trigger a wildfire of inflammation.

It causes the body to release cytokines, which are inflammatory messengers," Batayneh says.

Plain old white sugar isn’t the only culprit, though.

Frying bacon in pan

Credit:Blaine Moats

“Highly processed sugars like this, although not named ‘sugar,’ can hide in many packaged foods.

Processed Meats

It might be time to reexamine your relationship with that deli-sliced pastrami.

learn more about which fats are good for you and which ones aren’t.)

Bowl of cacio e pepe

Credit:Blaine Moats

Speaking of carbs and foods that cause inflammation, a certain wheat protein is also turning heads.

But anything more than that and you could experience negative impacts from that over-imbibing.

Listen to your body.

3 glasses of white wine

“It’s best to include whole plant-based foods rich in colors,” Fine says.

Foods high in omega-3 fats such as flaxseeds and wild fish promote antioxidative and anti-inflammatory capacities as well.”

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Harvard Medical School, 2020.

Harvard Medical Publishing

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Harvard Medical Publishing

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Narrative Review of Safety Analysis of General Use in Products.”

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3, 2022, pp.

666, doi:10.3390/nu14030666

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Arthritis Foundation, 2023

Diet review: Anti-inflammatory Diet.

Accessed August 2, 2024. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/anti-inflammatory-diet/.