What Is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet?

Many health conditions and lifestyle factors lead to ongoing inflammation within the body. When you have widespread inflammation, it can lead to chronic pain, aches, and other health concerns. 

If you want to lower inflammation and feel better overall, you may benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet. Learn more about the anti-inflammatory diet and what it includes below.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

While certain foods can trigger inflammation, others can reduce it. The anti-inflammatory diet limits inflammatory triggers and focuses primarily on foods that can lower inflammation. 

Foods that Trigger Inflammation

Anti-inflammatory diets limit the following foods that are considered inflammation triggers:

• Red meat
• Processed foods
• Sugar
• Fried foods
• White bread
• Cookies, candy, and ice cream
• High sodium foods
• Alcohol

When these foods are highly restricted or altogether eliminated, it can lead to lower inflammation levels throughout the body.

Foods that Reduce Inflammation

While the anti-inflammatory diet restricts foods that are triggered, it calls for an increase in foods that can reduce inflammation. These foods include:

• Oily fish (tuna, salmon)
• Berries
• Green leafy vegetables
• Nuts and seeds
• Beans
• Olive oil
• Probiotics
• Tea

These anti-inflammatory foods are high in antioxidants and other properties that can decrease inflammation. When your diet consists mostly of these foods, you can see a significant reduction in widespread inflammation, which may lead to a resolution of chronic pain and other symptoms.

Starting an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

If you struggle with chronic inflammation and want to try the anti-inflammatory diet, always speak with your medical team beforehand. Making major dietary changes is very impactful and should be discussed with your doctor in advance. 

It is important to make sure that the anti-inflammatory diet is a healthy fit for any underlying conditions you already have. It is also important to ensure you are healthy enough to make a major dietary change.