You might think that inflammation of the body only occurs when a serious injury occurs, but this is actually not the case. Inflammation is the body’s response to any sort of injury, as well as internal damage; it is what aids the start of the healing and recovery process.
This week, we are talking all about the different plant-based foods that you can consume in order to reduce the amount of inflammation in your body.
You will be surprised to learn that simply adding select herbs and spices to your eating routine will have you feeling better in no time – keep reading to learn more.
What is Inflammation?
Different kinds of stress can cause the body to become inflamed. For example, exposure to pollution, chemicals or unknown food allergies can cause chronic inflammation. In general, if you are not eating enough green foods, if you have an uncontrollable amount of stress or if you are not moving your body regularly, your body will respond by triggering inflammation.
Inflammation is the body’s process of fighting anything that can harm it. There is acute inflammation, which occurs at a point of injury, as well as chronic inflammation, which incurs over time. Each type of inflammation is solvable, but you will need to truly pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Signs of Inflammation
If your body is suffering from chronic inflammation, you might notice one of the below signs:
- Mouth Sores
- Fever
- Abdominal Pain
- Fatigue
- Rashes
- Chest Pain
If your body is suffering from acute inflammation, this is what it will look like:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain
- Heat
- Loss of Function
How to Treat Inflammation
Acute inflammation can be easily treated with some ice or an over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen. When your inflammation turns chronic, you need to take serious care to alleviate your body. You can take steroids or supplements, but one of the best ways to reduce your body’s swelling is by adjusting your eating habits.
While you’re looking into treating inflammation, take a look at this incredible conversation that we had with the founder of Bea’s Wellness Teas, Adrienne Jones. Adrienne singlehandedly treated the chronic inflammation-based illnesses by adding herbs and spices to her diet through teas.
Plants for Anti-Inflammation
Herbs, spices, vegetables and moderated fruits are all wonderful in terms of keeping your mind and body running smoothly and happily. If you want to keep the amount of swelling in your body under control, consider adding more of these plants to your diet:
- Turmeric
- Rosemary
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Cayenne
- Cloves
- Garlic
- Green Tea
- Kale
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Avocado
If you want to learn more about why these foods are perfect for fighting inflammation, take a look at this article, The 13 Most Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Can Eat, by Healthline.
Inflammatory Foods to Avoid
Refined sugar is one of the number one causes of swelling within the body; if you can remove any unnecessary sugar intake in your daily life, your body will thank you. In terms of fighting inflammation, you will also want to reduce your consumption of the following foods:
- Fried Foods
- Red Meat
- Processed Sugars and Carbs
- Processed Meats
- Fast Food
Start in Your Garden
If you are feeling overwhelmed at the idea of adding all of these foods to your diet, don’t sweat the small stuff. You can easily dip your toe into the realm of greener eating by starting your own garden or gardening kit, filled with your favorite herbs and veggies. If you need some guidance as to where to start with your container garden, our Grow Pro services are here to help you every step of the way. Happy growing!
