Food provides the nutrients that our bodies so sorely need. However, certain foods might cause inflammation in our bodies, which can cause our bodies to malfunction.
We're certain that you've come across the phrase 'inflammation' at some point in your health journey. But, have you really really grasped what it's all about? Because this condition leads to a variety of problems in the body that are not only unpleasant but also distressing, it is important to address it as soon as possible.
What is the definition of inflammation?
Put another way, inflammation is the way your body reacts to irritants such as germs or viruses. Our bodies attack these foreign organisms with antibodies in order to eliminate them, resulting in the appearance of redness, rash, and discomfort.
However, as a result of our sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits, our body's ability to fight infection might be severely compromised, resulting in a reduction in immunity.
According to experts, food may also induce inflammation in certain individuals.
Not every meal has the potential to exacerbate inflammation. Foods that are high in macro-and micronutrients reduce the likelihood of developing inflammation in your system.
"When you have chronic inflammation, your body loses its ability to fight illness since your immunity is on the decline. "That's why if you binge consumes junk food on a regular basis, you have a serious issue," explains Ms. Priya Palan, a dietician at Zen Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai. "
For those who are interested, if you consume any of the five items listed above on a regular basis, there is a good risk that you may develop chronic inflammation.
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1. Sugar
There are no surprises here since eating too much sugar, particularly refined sugar, is detrimental to one's health in the long run. "They are only empty calories with no nutritional benefit," says the author. Fructose is the primary reason why inflammation and edema occur after consuming an excessive amount of sugar or carbohydrates. "It has an effect on the insulin levels in your body, which causes the whole hormonal balance to be disrupted," adds Palan.
Give yourself a break from the sugar high, or else inflammation will strike you hard.
According to her, "if you have a sugar craving, you should choose natural alternatives such as fruits and nuts," which are readily accessible.
2. Fried foods
Trans-fats are among the most harmful types of fat, and fried meals are particularly high in them. "Consuming an excessive amount of fried food will not only make you fat, but it will also raise the levels of an inflammatory protein in your body called C-reactive protein (CRP)," she says further.
3. Alcohol
"With alcohol, you are once again ingesting empty calories that contain no nourishment. As a result, these calories are not absorbed by your body and are converted straight to fat. Additionally, alcohol has a direct effect on your liver, causing inflammation to grow in your body, resulting in stiffness and soreness in your muscles and joints," she continues.
4. Pizzas and pasta
They are essentially refined carbohydrates with high-calorie content. In a study published in the journal Scientific American, researchers discovered that refined carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, pizza, and burgers had a very high glycemic index. Generally speaking, if you consume them in moderation, there is no damage; however, if you are allergic to gluten or consume excessive amounts, it raises the creation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which activate inflammation in your body.
Do you like pizza? Consume it in moderation, after that.
5. Artificial sweeteners
You may believe that substituting artificial sweeteners for ordinary sugar would help you lose weight. This is not always true. However, consuming too much of it will result in inflammation. "It is well established that artificial sweeteners may change the makeup of your gut microbiota by lowering amounts of the beneficial bacteria known as Bacteroides. "These are the bacteria that are known to regulate the activities of inflammation in your body," she says.
"If you or someone in your family suffers from a chronic illness or an autoimmune disease such as arthritis, for example, that person should avoid all of the foods listed above since they might exacerbate the condition," she says.
