Essay On Anti Inflammatory Diet

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Whether you have a chronic illness or are interested in eating well to prevent disease, the anti-inflammatory diet is gaining traction as a viable way to plan your meals in order to avoid inflammation that can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, painful joints, and other ailments. Read on to learn about the components of an anti-inflammatory diet and what foods you should avoid. Experts note that an anti-inflammatory diet is very similar to the Mediterranean diet, a heart-healthy way of eating that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains. One study of more than 1.5 million healthy adults showed a marked reduction in risk of heart disease death, cancer death, and development of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Another study, published in 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a 30 percent reduction in heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease among participants who switched to a Mediterranean diet. First and foremost, an anti-inflammatory diet should include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Onions, garlic, peppers and dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens are all known to have anti-inflammatory components, as do fresh berries. Also seek out tart cherries, which one study from Oregon Health & Science University found to have more anti-inflammatory potential than any other food. Aim to eat many different foods over the course of a week, and as many fresh foods as possible, avoiding processed and prepackaged foods. In general, the more colorful your diet, the healthier it is from an anti-inflammatory standpoint. Colorful peppers, tomatoes, beets and squash are all good options; in fact, cooked tomatoes are full of lycopene, which is proven to reduc... ... middle of paper ... ...ls should be avoided, especially corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, peanut, safflower, soy, and sunflower oils. In general, stay away from foods that have a long shelf life and are loaded with preservatives. Foods high in simple carbohydrates, such as white bread and bagels, English muffins, and rice and corn cereals, should also be avoided. Artificial flavors and colors in foods can also trigger dangerous inflammation. In general, foods that are heart healthy tend to fit in well with the spirit of the anti-inflammation diet. The Arthritis Foundation maintains a website about the anti-inflammatory diet, which is available at http://www.arthritis.org/illinois/anti-inflammatory-diet/. It includes information about serving sizes, meal plans, and other tools and resources that can help you avoid the risk of developing chronic disease by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet.

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