Inflammation is vital for healing, attracting blood flow and immune cells to the site of infection. Yet, persistent inflammation can lead to the destruction of healthy cells and a range of symptoms including joint pain, muscle soreness, and gastrointestinal issues.
Serving as a gastroenterologist and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, addressing inflammation is a common inquiry.
Though factors like autoimmune conditions or toxin exposure are uncontrollable, diet’s role in inflammation has become increasingly evident.
Avoid these four foods known to trigger inflammation:
- Fatty Meats
Evidence suggests a link between the consumption of fatty meats such as beef, pork, and lamb and mild inflammation. These meats can disrupt gut flora, leading to an increase in inflammation-inducing lipopolysaccharides and a decrease in protective short-chain fatty acids vital for gut health.
- Ultra-Processed Foods
These foods undergo extensive processing and often contain excessive fats, salt, and sugar, contributing to inflammation. They lack the beneficial antioxidants present in the whole foods they derive from, such as the difference in antioxidant levels between white and whole-grain bread.
