fend off inflammation and oxidative stress, which can help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Resveratrol is a plant compound in red wine (and grapes) that’s credited with anti-inflammatory effects. But, when you start to have more than two drinks, that’s where it goes bad.
It can be easy to cross the line from beneficial to harmful. And when you cross that line, not only are the anti-inflammatory perks lost, but research published in the International Review of Neurobiology in 2022 shows that alcohol then triggers further inflammation in the body.
5. Artificial Sweeteners
Though artificial sweeteners are all deemed relatively safe by the Food and Drug Administration, most of the ones you see on restaurant tables and in food products are sweet-tasting synthetic chemical compounds like aspartame and saccharine. And—particularly if there’s already some low-level inflammation—the body may consider these foreign bodies or irritants.
6. Fruit Juices
Some people say that drinking juice is better than drinking soda. Well, that’s not really true when we talk about inflammation–and it all depends on what kind of juice you’re talking about. Fruit juices you buy in the store are primarily sugar without the beneficial fiber from the fruit so these should also be kept to a minimum. But if you make your own juice at home, it’s bound to be healthier.
7. Mayonnaise and Most Salad Dressings
Mayo can be high in omega-6 fatty acids that are known to cause inflammation. While omega-6 fatty acids are essential for your body, they need to be balanced out with omega-3 fatty acids and most diets have an excess of omega-6 with not
enough omega-3. Too much omega-6 contributes to inflammation, high cholesterol, hormone imbalance, and obesity.
Foods that are GOOD for Inflammation
Now that we’ve talked about the bad stuff, here are the good foods we should be eating:
– Fish
The Arthritis Foundation urges sufferers to eat at least 3 to