Foods that reduce inflammation

Since starting this site I’ve been doing a lot of research and experimenting with foods and spices that are said to reduce inflammation.  While this is certainly key for someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis it is also helpful for any sort of inflammation in the body and is an important key to cardiovascular health.  Does eating inflammation reducing foods mean I can forget about medication for my arthritis – absolutely not but it is an additional and important step in ensuring you are doing all you can to support your health.

This page is a work in progress and I will be adding to it all the time so if this topic interests you – check back.  I also welcome comments, feedback and suggestions.

Turmeric – Ginger  – Cinnamon

The most talked about spices for reducing inflammation are turmeric, ginger and cinnamon.  If you ever do a Google search on ingredients to reduce inflammation these three are defiantly the stars.  I buy good quality ground cinnamon in bulk, ground turmeric 90% of the time (fresh on the rare occasion I can find it) and I use always use fresh ginger root with the exception of baking.

Adding to this list and an ingredient making its way into a large portion of my cooking is garlic and chilies.  Both of these are know for their inflammation fighting properties and a score of other benefits.

In the past I have not used turmeric much in my cooking.  Turmeric is the spice that gives mustard its bright yellow color.  It is also often used in curries.   I have been finding more and more ways to use this spice and have been generally surprised by the mild flavor it contributes.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid

While this is available in supplement form I like to eat foods rich in this as I believe they offer a significant benefit to overall health.  Look for fatty fish such as salmon or sablefish.

Antioxidents

The benefits from eating a diet rich in antioxidants is something most of us have heard a lot about.  The great thing about this is that finding foods high in antioxidants is not only easy but generally means you are eating a lot of good fresh foods.