What are the most inflammatory foods?
The worst foods that cause inflammation are over-processed, fried items that are often ready-to-eat out of the box, sometimes also packed with added sugar. “If you’re eating ultra-processed foods, and eating too much of it, inflammation is sure to follow; malabsorption can also be an issue, among other things,” Sassos explains.
But you can work to reduce “long-term, low-grade inflammation” in cells and tissues by reworking your diet, says Corey W. Krishner, D.C., FIACA, DACNB, author of The Whole Body Cure, an anti-inflammatory eating plan created by our sister publication, Prevention. You can help prevent inflammation in your body by cutting down on the food groups below that are known to trigger it. Remember: A balanced diet isn’t always about total abstention, but moderation, Sassos adds. “Your diet should focus on wholesome, nourishing foods, but also make room for your favorite foods too!”
Candy
It’ll satisfy your sweet tooth, that’s for sure, but gummies and chocolate bars and other sweets are also inflammatory sugar bombs. The science is strong here: Added sugars trigger inflammation in the body, so the more often you enjoy a sugary treat such as candy, the more likely for that inflammation to become chronic.
Fast Food
Your favorite fast food fries taste good, but they’re not so great when it comes to spiking inflammation in the body. Fried foods contain trans fats, an inflammation trigger, and a new study in Environmental Sciences suggests that consuming a lot of these types of foods may produce inflammation in the brain that could cause anxiety and depression. Many fast food options are also considered processed foods, another category of eats that research has tied to inflammation.
