The immune system is an imperative part of keeping us healthy. Whenever there is injury, disease, or illness our inflammatory cells come to the rescue. However, inflammation can stay in our bodies when it isn’t even needed. Chronic inflammation can cause havoc on the body and also contribute to chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
The thing that we don’t usually realize is that a lot of the foods that we eat can aggravate the inflammation in our bodies. Sugary foods and those with high fructose corn syrup can incite inflammation. Foods containing artificial trans fat (partially hydrogenated oil) contribute to inflammation and also may affect levels of our “good” HDL cholesterol. Processed meats are also associated with increased risk for disease including heart disease and colon cancer.
Even if we eliminate the bad foods that are causing inflammation, we still need to make sure that we are eating foods that are healthy and anti-inflammatory in nature. The Mediterranean diet is one of the most