Six foods that help fight inflammation

From mackerel to dark chocolate, add these delicious foods to your diet for their anti-inflammatory properties

While inflammation is necessary to help your body fight infections, chronic inflammation isn’t easy on the body. Diseases such as arthritis, as well as high levels of stress, can lead to chronic inflammation. While medication exists to help with chronic inflammation, it is always a good idea to try to tailor your diet to help you rid your body of any excess inflammation that may be keeping you from living your life to the fullest. Compiled from Healthline, here is a list of six foods that help lower inflammation in the body.

Fatty fish 

When it comes to meat, fish really is the healthiest option out there. Fatty fish is a wonderful and delicious source of protein and is also chock-full of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Your body breaks down these fatty acids to release resolvins and protectins, which in turn help fight inflammation. Some of the best fish to consume if your main goal is to rid your body of unwanted inflammation are salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines.  

Broccoli

While you may have been conditioned by pop culture to hate on this nutrient-dense vegetable, it can actually be quite delicious, and help fight off inflammation as a bonus! According to the research, eating a lot of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli is associated with a decreased risk of diseases of the heart as well as cancer. This may be a direct result of the antioxidants that this vegetable is full of! 

Mushrooms

This tasty topping is full of selenium, copper, and all of the B vitamins while being delightfully low in calories. The phenols and other antioxidants that this food contains have anti-inflammatory properties, however, it’s best to eat this either slightly cooked or raw, since cooking mushrooms has been related to a significant decrease in their ability to help fight infections.  

Turmeric 

Growing up in desi households, it’s very unlikely that you haven’t heard of the wonderful properties of turmeric! It’s the health hack one health hack in the arsenal of every Pakistani, and for good reason. Turmeric is full of curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory nutrient, with people preferring to take this golden wonder in milk or seasoned into their food. 

Grapes 

There are few fruits as widely loved as grapes, and it might just be a close-second favourite fruit across the country, following closely behind mangoes. This yummy fruit contains contain anthocyanins, which help reduce inflammation. Grapes are also great sources of resveratrol, another compound that has many health benefits. An added bonus? Frozen grapes are the perfect replacement for your daily sugar-filled sweet treats! 

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is known for its many health benefits, with its anti-inflammatory properties being one of them. It’s brimming with antioxidants that reduce inflammation, which may reduce your risk of disease and lead to a healthier, happier old age. It is also full of flavanols, which have immense anti-inflammatory effects and keep the endothelial cells that line your arteries in great shape.