Three Foods That Can Inflame Your Body

Inflammation is like Dr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll: Your body uses this method to repair damaged cells. However, when it goes into overdrive, it becomes risky and can result in diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and stroke.

Erin Coates, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian, explains, “What you eat can affect inflammation.” According to Coates, when the immune system detects something foreign in the body, inflammation is frequently triggered to safeguard health. Although chronic inflammation has been linked to numerous serious diseases, intermittent inflammation can be protective.

“If you want to fight inflammation, look in your kitchen first. Additionally, Coates advises adding anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, seeds, and fatty fish to your grocery list.

Coates lists the three most inflammatory foods to avoid when shopping for groceries.

1. Sugars that have been added The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar each day. We should consume no more than six teaspoons per day on average.

Due to the large amounts of sugar that are added by food manufacturers to enhance the flavor of numerous packaged foods, avoiding them has become increasingly challenging. However, research indicates that excessive consumption of added sugar results in chronic inflammation.

2. Trans fats Hydrogenation is the process by which food manufacturers make trans fats. According to Coates, adding hydrogen to fat alters its texture, consistency, and shelf life. However, researchers have discovered that there is no safe amount of trans fats. Therefore, a daily goal of less than one gram of trans fat is recommended.
Examples of trans fats include shortening, which is a well-known trans fat. However, according to Coates, you can find them in baked goods like cookies, pastries, and crackers from restaurants.
Why inflammation is caused by trans fats “Trans fats raise levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of good cholesterol (HDL). According to Coates, both of these things can make you more likely to get heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

3. Red and processed meats: For flavor or preservation, processed meats have been salted, cured, fermented, or smoked. Saturated fat, which causes inflammation, is abundant in red and processed meats.
Examples of red and processed meats and how they cause inflammation Studies have shown that eating more red and processed meats increases your risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke, all of which are linked to inflammation.