A diet rich in naturally anti-inflammatory foods can greatly help the quality of life for people who have a variety of inflammatory conditions. These can include conditions like Crohn’s, Parkinson’s, cardiac disease, asthma and arthritis, which can frequently be painful and bring with them potentially serious complications. Below are 10 of the best foods to consider if you are wanting to follow an anti-inflammatory diet.
Nuts
Nuts like almonds, walnuts and cashews are all good choices for their natural anti-inflammatory properties and walnuts in particular have been shown to be especially affective for treating rheumatoid arthritis. They are also easy to add to the diet in the form of between-meal snacks.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a nutritional powerhouse and can be added to water or to detoxifying smoothies to help reduce inflammation and to improve over digestive health; it has the added benefit of helping to keep blood sugar on an even keel.
Apricots
Many fruits have anti-inflammatory properties, but the phytochemicals in apricots make them particularly useful in this respect and are a rich source of quercitin. They are great as is, or can be easily added to smoothies or salads.
Asparagus
Asparagus, apart from its anti-inflammatory properties, is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and has a detoxifying effect upon the liver, which can also help with inflammatory conditions as well as improving overall health.
Avocadoes
Avocadoes can also help soothe inflammation and are a great alkalizing food, which can also help people who have chronic inflammatory conditions. It is also a rich source of healthy monounsaturated fats and can be great aid to weight loss.
Spices
Spices like basil, rosemary and parsley are great way to easily add natural anti-inflammatory ingredients to your meal. Other spices that are useful for this are turmeric and cinnamon, both of which are easily added to variety of dishes.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers receive their anti-inflammatory properties from flavonoids, compounds which also are powerful antioxidants which combat damage to the tissues caused by free radicals; antioxidants are also great for people with inflammatory conditions.
Black Beans
Most beans are anti-inflammatory but black beans are particularly good, as they are also low in the glycemic index which will keep your blood sugar on an even keel and are high in protein and dietary fiber.
Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and the like all have anti-inflammatory properties and like bell peppers also give those with inflammatory conditions the benefit of their powerful antioxidants.
Bok Choy
Boy Choy, being a cruciferous vegetables, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties but also is rich in beta-carotene (another antioxidant) and Vitamin A. It is also easy to add to soups, stir-fries and other dishes.
These foods are all readily accessible at the local supermarket and most are versatile, being easily added to any number of dishes. And they can make a big difference to the quality of life of those suffering from inflammatory conditions.
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