Foods To Avoid To Lower Inflammation

Foods to Avoid to Lower Inflammation

Dec 22, 2010 | By Ashley Tyson

Inflammation is the body's natural response when fighting an infection. In some cases, however, the immune system may inflame without the presence of infection-causing microorganisms. Chronic inflammation is an autoimmune disease that causes persistent discomfort that can prove debilitating, especially in conditions like ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. Avoiding certain foods can prevent triggering inflammation.

Sugary Foods

Refined sugars, like table sugar, corn syrup and confectioners sugar, can lower your immune system, making it susceptible to inflammatory responses, according to Monica Reinagel and Julius Torelli in the book "the Inflammation-Free Diet Plan." The sharp spikes in blood sugar can cause instant inflammation, which is particularly dangerous for diabetics, who can suffer further complications with poor blood circulation. Moderating your sugar intake and using natural sugar sources, such as honey, can help lower instances of inflammation.

Coffee, Tea and Soda

The high caffeine content of coffee, certain teas and soda can stimulate inflammation, especially in the digestive tract, reports Jack Challem in his book "The Inflammation Syndrome." The combination of added sugar, particularly in soda, is doubly troublesome for those with chronic inflammatory disease. Challem suggests drinking plenty of water and drinking low-caffeine or caffeine-free teas such as chamomile.

Fatty Meat

Fatty meat, especially beef and other red meats, are extremely high in saturated fat, which is a powerful stimulator of inflammation. This dietary-induced inflammation also increases the release of free radicals, which can facilitate aging, cancer and other detrimental diseases. Eating lean meats, especially chicken breast, is unlikely to encourage inflammation and may in fact lower it.