Inflammation and Drinks

Inflammation causing food

1. Oat and rice milk

While these milks are by formula made of oat/rice and water- the food industry always adds extra additives, sugar and refined oil. From this point of view, one glass can raise our blood sugar and lead to inflammation. In addition, this kind of products are often cross-contaminated with gluten. Because of that: gluten may lead to food sensitivities, systemic inflammation, leaky gut syndrome, and consequent health issues, including autoimmune diseases.

I warmly recommend as a diary free alternative to use Almond, coconut or hemp milk.

2. Sodas

Refined carbs like sugar are often hidden in the soda drinks. They have a High GI that raise blood sugar more rapidly than low GI foods. In one study, older adults who reported the highest intake of high GI foods were 2.9 times more likely to die of an inflammatory disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Also, this days we can find soda drinks without added sugar- only sweetened with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, cyclamates, saccharin, acesulfame-k. Artificial sweeteners have different nature of origin when compared with carbs. That is the main reason why they are differently absorbed in our body. High intake of sugar free sodas with artificial sweeteners can cause gut microbiome change and liver damage.

Instead of drinking soda as everyday habit, we can chose natural teas combined with little squeezed orange or lime.

Inflammation fighting food

While talking about anti-inflammatory food and diet, it is important to know that fighting inflammation is a whole lifestyle change. We need to follow alkaline diet combined with wellness habits like good sleep, exercise, spa and sauna.

In the part of fruits and their contribution for low inflammation of the body, some winners can be separated:

1. Blueberries

Polyphenolic compounds that are found in blueberries in their purple-blue color, act as antioxidants to ease existing inflammation and prevent free radicals from triggering new inflammation. In fact, studies suggest that regularly eating blueberries appears to exert anti-inflammatory effects that have the potential to decrease blood pressure, improve blood flow and protect brain cells from neuroinflammation.

2. Lime and lemon

Lemons and limes both contain flavonoids. Animal and cell studies have suggested that flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cancer-fighting, and neuroprotective properties.

Limes provide a good source of vitamin C. Among many other potential benefits, vitamin C acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body.

These days there are so many review of research that focused on the positive effect vitamin C has on reducing inflammation.

Citrus juices, in particular the hand-squeezed (raw), are one of the main sources of nutrients as well as of secondary metabolites in a standard balanced diet. A part ascorbic acid, one of the main groups of compounds responsible for the health effects of Citrus juices are polyphenols with special reference to phenolic acids and flavonoids

As the end-note where we need to be precautious for the intake of fruits: Balanced eating is the key for inflammation management.

For example: in specific anti-inflammatory diet always choose high alkaline fruits and reduce the daily intake of those fruits by 200g.

This note is important by the law of sugars, knowing that every fruit contains carbohydrate Fructose and high intake of sugar can contribute Inflammation although there are chemically good ingredients in the fruits as polyphenols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and flavonoids.

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Katya Prevallet is passionate about health care and bringing drug price transparency to others so that everyone can find the best and most affordable medications as treatment options.