Lifestyle
Foods That Can Cause Inflammation
3min read
Have you been wondering which foods can often cause inflammation? Keep reading to discover the main culprits and easy swaps!
What foods commonly cause inflammation?
In general, foods that cause inflammation are highly refined or processed, often containing large amounts of saturated fats or sugars. Processed meats and dairy products are big offenders which means opting for a plant-based diet is a great first step in avoiding dietary inflammation.
Refined carbohydrates are another big food group that can be responsible for inflammation too – simple sugars, white bread, baked goods, fizzy drinks and artificially sweetened treats that might taste great are always better in moderation. It might not be surprising that eating an excessive amount of any of these foods can also be linked to heart disease, obesity and diabetes too.
Other foods that may cause inflammation
If you’re buying pre-prepared or processed foods, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for, and avoid (or at least limit):
- High salt
- High sugar
- White and other refined flours
- Artificial flavourings
Top tips
The top tip for living pain-free from inflammation seems to be rooted in a well-balanced diet. Opting for plant-based options is an easy and effective place to start, and including plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and wholegrains will help here too.
Where possible, swap out refined and white flours, bread, kinds of pasta and rice for brown or wholemeal and swap processed foods for fresh options.
What next?
Check out our guide to the best anti-inflammatory spices to cook with here!
By Fabian Jackson
Fabian is one of our lovely Content Marketing Assistants who loves writing almost as much as he loves coffee, old episodes of Escape to the Country (no judgement here), and cooking up a storm in his kitchen.
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