Inflammatory foods are those that promote and cause more inflammation throughout the body. Inflammatory processes are the starting point of multiple diseases and worsen symptoms of fibromyalgia, arthritis, and muscle pain.
Currently, pain is the most commonly treated condition by doctors and specialists. We all know someone who suffers from near-chronic pain, or we ourselves suffer from it. Painkillers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the best-selling medications worldwide. This trend is unlikely to reverse in the coming years.
However, our diets continue to be deficient and rich in inflammatory foods. While we all believe that joint pain can only be caused by arthritis, dozens of diseases can be diagnosed in an inflamed body. In short: inflammation = pain. Inflammatory processes in our bodies are the root cause of many diseases, but what is the origin of inflammation?
5 Inflammatory Foods to Avoid
Although doctors prescribe painkillers, it’s a good idea to understand the root cause of the inflammation and stop any process. Painkillers work to relieve discomfort but do not cure it. Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” If you are suffering from joint pain, muscle pain, or any form of fibromyalgia, it is very important that you remove these inflammatory foods from your daily diet.
1. Sugar.
Refined sugar and highly processed foods (instant foods, snacks, junk food, etc.) are the worst foods for joint and muscle pain. Sugary or processed foods (which aren’t always sugary) are inflammatory foods because they significantly irritate the gastrointestinal tract, where a large part of our immune system is located. Experts believe that chronic inflammation originates in the gut.
2. Alcohol.
As we’ve seen hundreds of times, alcohol is poisonous to the body, and once it enters the bloodstream, the body begins multiple processes to eliminate it. While you can drink either sporadically, remember to do so in moderation. Excess is the worst enemy of pain; it damages the intestinal flora, promotes the growth of fungi, and hinders the body’s ability to detoxify. This happens because alcohol, naturally, is a sugar molecule combined with a fat molecule.
3. Cereals.
Grains themselves aren’t inflammatory foods. The problem is that they’re generally harder to digest, and if you have any stomach sensitivity (no matter how mild), they can worsen your condition and contribute to “leaky gut syndrome.” This is an inflammatory condition when gluten sensitivity exacerbates the problem. Remember, you don’t have to be celiac to be sensitive to this protein; it can also occur in mild cases.
All of this is made worse if we add the phytic acid and lectins found in many grains. Both of these impede the ability to absorb calcium, magnesium, and other essential minerals.
4. Refined vegetable oils.
The most common inflammatory foods in the oil group are canola, soy, and corn. They contribute to inflammation because they often have certain genetic modifications that make them difficult to digest. You’ll typically find them in restaurant meals or as ingredients in refined foods. Try to avoid them!
5. Pasteurized dairy products.
75% of the world’s population suffers from lactose intolerance. It’s clear that some people tolerate it so mildly that there are no visible symptoms. However, certain processes occur in the body that lead to inflammation. Pasteurized dairy products are considered inflammatory foods that promote joint or muscle pain.
Some research shows that most people with gluten sensitivity also have problems eating dairy products. This happens because cows are fed gluten, which contains many hormones and chemicals that are then transferred into the milk. Dairy casein is a protein that can act similarly to gluten when it enters the body.
