Top Anti-Inflammatory Foods, Herbs & Spices

Inflammation Is at the Heart of Most Chronic Diseases:

It’s important to realize that chronic inflammation is the source of many, if not most diseases, including cancer, obesity and heart disease, which essentially makes it the leading cause of death in the US.
Certain foods, herbs and cooking spices contain a wide variety of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that can help to maximize the nutrient density of your meals.

Four Spices That Pack a Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Punch:

1. Cloves
2. Ginger
3. Rosemary
4. Turmeric

Other Potent Anti-Inflammatory Spices:

1. Cinnamon
2. Jamaican allspice
3. Apple pie spice mixture
4. Oregano
5. Pumpkin pie spice mixture
6. Marjoram
7. Sage
8. Thyme
9. Gourmet Italian spice

Top Seven Anti-Inflammatory Foods:

1. Animal-based omega-3 fat
2. Leafy greens
3. Blueberries
4. Tea
5. Fermented vegetables and traditionally cultured foods
6. Shiitake mushrooms
7. Garlic

Your Diet Is Key for Reducing Chronic Inflammation:

Besides trying to incorporate the above foods, herbs and spices into your diet, there are other foods that are inflammation producing and should therefore be avoided.

These foods should be avoided from your diet:

1. Refined sugars
2. Processed grains
3. Oxidized cholesterol, which is cholesterol that has gone rancid, such as that from overcooked, scrambled eggs
4. Foods cooked at high temperatures, especially if cooked with vegetable oil, such as peanut, corn or soy oil)
5. Trans fats

Replacing processed foods with whole, ideally organic foods will automatically address most of these factors, especially if you starting eat a large portion of your food raw. Equally important is making sure you’re regularly reseeding your gut with beneficial bacteria through fermented foods and/or by taking a good probiotic.

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