The Basics Of Anti-Inflammatory Eating

What chronic inflammation actually is

Distinct from acute inflammation (the normal, helpful response to injury or infection), chronic low-grade inflammation is a persistent, lower-level immune activation linked to various long-term health conditions, and influenced partly by diet.

Foods generally associated with promoting inflammation

Refined sugar, heavily processed foods, and excessive intake of certain refined vegetable oils are among the dietary factors more consistently associated with promoting chronic inflammation in research.

Foods generally associated with reducing inflammation

Fatty fish (omega-3s), colorful fruits and vegetables (antioxidants), nuts, and spices like turmeric are commonly cited as supporting a lower-inflammation dietary pattern, based on a reasonably consistent body of research.

A practical, non-restrictive way to apply this

Shifting the overall balance of a diet toward more whole foods and less ultra-processed food, rather than adopting a strict, narrowly defined 'anti-inflammatory diet' with rigid rules, captures most of the practical benefit sustainably.