10 Top Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Best Foods to Eat to Beat Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's natural response to protect itself from bacteria, viruses, injury, and infection. Some factors that lead to inflammation in the body are emotional and physical stress, digestive issues, poor diet, fluctuating insulin levels, food allergies, hormones, chemicals, and injuries. My health scare with sudden severe joint inflammation and pain increased my awareness of how sensitive our guts are to food. It doesn't matter how long you have been eating certain foods, eventually, your body can revolt. The top six foods that I've found to cause inflammation in my body are high-fat animal protein, shellfish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and wheat. Just knowing that these foods cause inflammation and pain has helped me make better choices by eliminating or limiting them from my diet.

Here is a list of foods I eat to help enhance my health and help reduce inflammation:

1. Garlic

Garlic has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties. Garlic helps to remove toxic waste from our lymphatic system. It is most effective in raw form to receive the full healing benefits. In a food processor blend raw garlic, a can of organic garbanzo beans, olive oil, and salt and pepper (S&P) to make homemade hummus.

2. Cilantro/Parsley

Garlic and parsley are powerful herbs and are critical for binding onto toxic heavy metals like mercury, copper, and aluminum that can be found in our bodies. These herbs help to remove them safely. I like to blend 2-3 avocadoes, a handful of cilantro, lime juice, minced garlic, and S&P until smooth. Dip veggies or grain-free chips into your healthy avocado dip. There are also many smoothie recipes you can find online that incorporate these two powerful herbs.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries help to revitalize the central nervous system and flush neurotoxins out of the liver. They are also known to help remove toxic heavy metals from the brain and liver that accumulate throughout life. Stick to wild blueberries that are smaller and less likely contaminated by pesticides/herbicides. I blend blueberries into my smoothie daily.

4. Lemons and Limes

Lemons and limes are beneficial for breaking up any sediment and stones in the gallbladder. Clearing up the sediment and stones allows bile production in the liver to increase and hydrochloric acid in the gut to rise to lead to the reduction of bad acids that cause GERD.  Lemons and limes help create an alkaline environment in the body which helps to fight bacteria and disease.

5. Leafy Greens

Leafy Greens provide an alkaline environment for the body. Keeping the body in an alkaline state helps it fight off disease and inflammation. Leafy greens provide highly absorbable micronutrients to the nervous system which help rid the liver of waste. Spinach is best eaten raw. I add raw spinach to my smoothie every morning. Even if you don't like spinach, you won't taste it blending it in your morning smoothie. If you use kale instead, it may leave a bitter aftertaste.

6. Celery

Celery is very powerful for removing viral neurotoxins from the body. Celery juice specifically has what are called "sodium cluster salts" that attach themselves to the viral neurotoxins and remove them from the body safely. Celery is high in a unique form of vitamin C that enhances the immune system.

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a very powerful tool for healing the body. It has been used for a very long time and is known for its natural antibiotic properties. Taking it by mouth can help improve circulation and elimination. It can help purify the blood, reduce inflammation, ease arthritis, help prevent kidney stones, etc. It is alkaline in nature and helped me when I had gastrointestinal issues going on. I found pure organic aloe vera juice, no sugar added, and not from concentrate. The purest form is the most healing. Make sure to blend it in your smoothies because it is bitter in its most natural state.

8. Turmeric Root

Turmeric root is a very powerful natural remedy. It has strong antioxidant properties that have anti-aging benefits. The root has properties that are anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties. It can help heal many inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, and eczema—to name a few. Make sure to buy organic turmeric for optimal benefits. I blend turmeric root into my smoothies to give them an extra health benefit. A good smoothie recipe I use is taking a handful of spinach, fresh chunks of pineapple, a piece of turmeric root, a piece of ginger root, a squeeze of lime, and aloe juice. Blend and drink. Your gut will love you. 

9. Ginger Root

Ginger root is one of the world's oldest healing spices. It helps aid in digestion and helps prevent colds, flu, and vertigo. It's been known to help with cramps, nausea, migraines, sore throat, fatigue, and constipation. Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds and has immune-boosting abilities. Use it daily in cooking or with smoothies. A very healing drink is taking a glass of water, adding a piece of fresh sliced ginger, squeezing a fresh lemon, and adding one to two teaspoons of raw honey. 

10. Raw Honey

Bees are our lifeline. Raw honey is one thing you will find in my medicine cabinet. Raw honey can strengthen the immune system, promote digestive health, relieve sore throat, heal ulcers, stabilize blood pressure, flush the kidneys, etc. Raw honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is used in wound and burn healing. I will either take one to two tablespoons per day by mouth or blend them in my smoothie. I started using bees as my medicine when I lived in Ohio. Once I started using bee products regularly (raw honey, bee propolis, and bee pollen), I stopped suffering from allergies and never had a sore throat again.

One of my favorite sayings is "Let food be thy medicine.” Our bodies have a natural ability to heal when they’re given the right tools. Listen to your body. If your gut is inflamed, perform a food allergy test or try an elimination diet to figure out possible foods or allergens that are exacerbating the issue. Eliminate the triggers to cure the problem. Taking medicine covers up the issue and never solves it. Limiting eggs and dairy was the hardest thing for me to do. I am not perfect yet—it is a learning process. I must be aware of everything I eat. I made a choice to make changes to my eating to reduce and eliminate pain and inflammation from my body, and it is so worth it.  

Originally published for Longboat News