Inflammation plays a crucial role in the body’s defense mechanism, directing increased blood flow and immune cells to areas needing repair.
However, persistent inflammation can harm healthy cells and cause symptoms like stiffness in joints, muscular pain, and digestive discomfort.
As a gastroenterologist and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, the question of how to combat inflammation comes up frequently.
While some causes are beyond control, such as autoimmune diseases or toxins, recent findings highlight the significant influence of diet on inflammation.
Here are four types of food to avoid due to their inflammatory effects:
- Fatty Meats
Studies have linked fatty meats, including beef, pork, and lamb, to increased inflammation levels. These meats can change gut bacteria by boosting lipopolysaccharides that activate inflammation and reduce short-chain fatty acids, crucial for anti-inflammation and colon health.
- Ultra-Processed Foods
Such foods are heavily modified and often packed with unhealthy fats, salt, and sugar, all linked to inflammation. They usually lack the antioxidants found in their whole food counterparts, like the difference between white and whole-grain bread in terms of antioxidant content.
