Foods you should eat to help fight inflammation - Harvard Health (2024)

Foods you should eat to help fight inflammation - Harvard Health (1)

We typically think of inflammation as a result of an injury or disease. But diet also plays an important role in chronic inflammation.

This is in part because the foods we eat influence the types of bacteria that populate our gut and their chemical byproducts. While some foods encourage the growth of bacteria that stimulate inflammation, others promote the growth of bacteria that help suppress it. That's why it's important to know which foods have anti-inflammatory properties and which can cause inflammation

Foods that fight inflammation

  • Fruits and vegetables. Most fruits and brightly colored vegetables naturally contain high levels of antioxidants and polyphenols. Polyphenols are potentially protective compounds found in plants. Studies have shown that polyphenols have multiple anti-inflammatory properties and may improve the function of cells that line blood vessels. Foods high in polyphenols include onions, turmeric, red grapes, cherries, and plums, as well as dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens.
  • Nuts and seeds. Studies have found that consuming nuts and seeds is associated with reduced markers of inflammation and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
  • Some oils and fatty fish. Olive oil, flaxseed oil, and fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel offer healthy doses of omega-3 fatty acids, which have long been shown to reduce inflammation.
  • Coffee, cocoa and green tea. The polyphenols in coffee and the flavanols in cocoa are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea is also rich in both polyphenols and antioxidants.

Foods that can fuel inflammation

The foods that contribute to inflammation are the same ones generally considered bad for other aspects of health. These include:

  • Sugary sodas
  • Refined carbohydrates (like white bread and pasta)
  • Red meat and processed meats
  • Processed foods. Certain components or ingredients used in processed foods such as the emulsifiers added to ice cream, may have effects on inflammation.

Such foods are also likely to contribute to weight gain, which is itself a risk factor for inflammation..

The key to reducing inflammation with diet

To practice anti-inflammatory eating, it's best to focus on an overall healthy diet rather than singling out individual "good" and "bad" foods. In general, a healthy diet means one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils, and limits food loaded with simple sugars (like soda and candy), beverages that contain high-fructose corn syrup (like juice drinks and sports drinks), and refined carbohydrates.

For additional advice about ways to reduce inflammation, check out Fighting Inflammation , a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

Image: © lacaosa /Getty Images

Foods you should eat to help fight inflammation - Harvard Health (2024)

FAQs

Foods you should eat to help fight inflammation - Harvard Health? ›

Anti-inflammatory Foods

One form of these powerful inflammation fighters is found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna, striped bass and anchovies. You can get the benefit from eating the fish or by taking fish oil supplements. Vegetarians and vegans have options, too.

What is the number one food to fight inflammation? ›

Anti-inflammatory Foods

One form of these powerful inflammation fighters is found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna, striped bass and anchovies. You can get the benefit from eating the fish or by taking fish oil supplements. Vegetarians and vegans have options, too.

What foods flush out inflammation? ›

Berries, fatty fish, nuts, leafy greens, oatmeal, and olive oil can all be part of an anti-inflammatory diet. But it's best to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. What meat is anti-inflammatory? The Mediterranean diet includes anti-inflammatory omega-3 rich fatty fish.

How to reduce inflammation in Harvard? ›

To fight inflammation, go for whole, unprocessed foods with no added sugar: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans, lentils), fish, poultry, nuts, seeds, a little bit of low-fat dairy, and olive oil. "To these, many people add herbs and spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric.

What is the #1 anti-inflammatory fruit? ›

Anti-inflammatory foods to eat

vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. fruit, especially deeply colored fruits like blueberries, pomegranates, grapes, and cherries. high fat fruits, such as avocados and olives. healthy fats like olive oil and avocado oil.

What are the 10 worst inflammatory foods? ›

Andrew Abraham, MD, is the founder and CEO of Orgain, an online supplements provider based in Irvine, California.
  • 03 of 10. ...
  • 04 of 10. Soda and Other Sugar-Sweetened Beverages. ...
  • 05 of 10. Trans Fats. ...
  • 06 of 10. Red Meat. ...
  • 07 of 10. Processed Meats. ...
  • 08 of 10. Refined Carbohydrates. ...
  • 09 of 10. Fried Foods. ...
  • 10 of 10. Alcohol.
May 5, 2024

What is the #1 best drink to reduce inflammation? ›

Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects. You'll find the highest polyphenol levels in green and white teas.

Are eggs inflammatory? ›

According to a 2020 review, eggs contain substances such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, omega-6 fatty acids, and arachidonic acid, which can promote inflammation. However, a 2019 study on adults found no connection between egg consumption and inflammatory biomarkers in the blood.

How do I reduce inflammation ASAP? ›

Healthy eating tips to help reduce inflammation
  1. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. ...
  2. Choose high-fiber carbohydrates. ...
  3. Eat more fiber. ...
  4. Choose plant-based and leaner animal protein sources. ...
  5. Be conscious of your fat sources. ...
  6. Reduce the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in the diet. ...
  7. Reduce your sugar intake. ...
  8. Limit or avoid alcohol.
Nov 16, 2023

What is the strongest natural anti-inflammatory? ›

  1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. ...
  2. Curcumin. ...
  3. S-adenosylmethionine. ...
  4. Zinc. ...
  5. Green tea. ...
  6. Frankincense. ...
  7. Capsaicin. ...
  8. Cat's claw.

Is coffee inflammatory? ›

Fellow coffee drinkers, I have great news! Research suggests that coffee does not cause inflammation in most people—even if your norm is more than one or two caffeinated cups a day. In fact, it's quite the opposite. According to a 2021 study in Nutrients, coffee may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

How I cured my inflammation naturally? ›

Follow these six tips for reducing inflammation in your body:
  1. Load up on anti-inflammatory foods. ...
  2. Cut back or eliminate inflammatory foods. ...
  3. Control blood sugar. ...
  4. Make time to exercise. ...
  5. Lose weight. ...
  6. Manage stress.
Mar 29, 2024

Are bananas anti-inflammatory? ›

Bananas contain anti-inflammatory components that could have a significant impact on human health. One such component is bromelain, an enzyme known for its anti-inflammatory properties [5]. Bromelain has been studied for its potential to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms in conditions such as osteoarthritis.

What is the number one food that kills inflammation? ›

1. Avocados. Avocados are often sought after for their creamy texture and satiating taste. But they are also powerhouses when it comes to fighting inflammation.

Is peanut butter anti-inflammatory? ›

Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in peanuts, has been shown to reduce inflammation and is therefore seen as anti-inflammatory. In fact, the 2009 American Heart Association Advisory Panel recommended that Americans include omega-6 in their diets, citing its anti-inflammatory benefits.

What are the 5 classic signs of inflammation? ›

Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).

What reduces inflammation fast? ›

Healthy eating tips to help reduce inflammation
  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. ...
  • Choose high-fiber carbohydrates. ...
  • Eat more fiber. ...
  • Choose plant-based and leaner animal protein sources. ...
  • Be conscious of your fat sources. ...
  • Reduce the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in the diet. ...
  • Reduce your sugar intake. ...
  • Limit or avoid alcohol.
Nov 16, 2023

What are the 7 most inflammatory foods? ›

These 7 high-inflammatory foods can sap your energy and raise your risk for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease
  1. Char-grilled meat. ...
  2. Processed meat products. ...
  3. Alcohol. ...
  4. Deep-fried foods. ...
  5. Sugary foods and drinks. ...
  6. Ultra-processed foods. ...
  7. Highly refined carbs.
Mar 18, 2024

Are eggs good for inflammation? ›

Eggs and inflammation

On the contrary, eggs have been shown to contain compounds that may have anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, eating two eggs per week as a part of a well-balanced diet is recommended for most adults, including those with arthritis ( 9 ).

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