High levels of inflammation in your body can cause many symptoms. Common complaints related to inflammation include joint and muscle pain, upset stomach and headaches. You can significantly reduce the inflammation level in your body by choosing anti-inflammatory foods and seasonings.
Cold water, low mercury fish such as salmon and cod are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Fresh vegetables, especially the cabbage family vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts), contain high levels of antioxidants and beneficial phytochemicals. Vibrantly colored fruits, such as berries and cherries contain different flavonoids with antioxidant and anti—inflammatory properties. Pineapple and papaya have the added benefit of naturally occurring enzymes that help to decrease inflammatory proteins. And ginger, turmeric, saffron and rosemary all contain anti-inflammatory compounds and can have a profound effect on arthritic symptoms in particular.
Many common foods can have the negative effect of increasing your inflammation level. Some examples of these pro-inflammatory foods are red meats, grain fed poultry and farmed fish, nightshade family vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and bell peppers), animal fats, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats, coffee and refined sugar. Decreasing or avoiding these foods may improve inflammation related symptoms.
