There’s a five-alarm fire sounding these days about inflammation, and
with good reason. Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s,
and acne are just some of the possible consequences
of too much inflammation in the body.
According to Nicholas Perricone,
M.D., the pioneering nutritionist and dermatologist (who wrote the book on anti-inflammation eating), our
bodies actually depend on temporary inflammation to help fight off sudden
injuries or infection. But when that inflammation becomes chronic, “the immune
system mistakenly attacks normal cells, and the process that ordinarily heals
becomes destructive.”
Like so many health issues, the main culprit is too much sugar, which is why you’ve
probably heard the sweet stuff singled out—as well as other well-known
offenders, like dairy, booze, and trans-fat-filled
fried foods. But inflammation can
sneak up on you via lots of seemingly innocent foods. Here are six surprising
sources you might want to approach with caution.
1. Agave
Despite its (questionable) rep as a
worry-free sweetener, agave is ultimately still full of sugar—with a fructose content of up to 90 percent.
“Sugar suppresses the activity of our white blood cells, which makes us more
susceptible to infectious disease (colds, the flu, and so forth) as well as
cancer,” explains Dr. Perricone. Plus, sugar overload can cause collagen fibers
to lose their strength, making skin “more vulnerable to sun damage, wrinkles,
and sagging,” he adds.
2. Frozen yogurt
Froyo has two potential
inflammatory culprits: sugar
and dairy. Milk can boost insulin levels and
male hormones, and it’s a common allergen, which means it can trigger
inflammatory reactions (anything from diarrhea to hives). But not all frozen
yogurts are created equal, says Andrew Weil, M.D., director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
at the College of Medicine, and an anti-inflammatory evangelist. “Some frozen
yogurts contain the milk protein casein, which may increase inflammation,” he explains.
“Others contain specific probiotics that may actually reduce it.”
(And some frozen “yogurts” contain no dairy at all and use coconut milk.)
3. Barley and Rye
These healthy (and delicious) grains don’t cause the same sugar spike that refined
carbs do, but they can spark inflammation in some people. Why? The short answer
is gluten. If you’re at
all sensitive to it, and especially if you have Celiac
disease, consuming barley or rye (in food or booze form) can cause your tissues
to flame up. Go easy on these grains, especially if you are already
feeling ache-y or having joint pain—two possible indicators of inflammation.
4. Seitan
Sure, you love the
chewy, meat-like texture, but there’s a reason why this veggie staple is known
as “wheat meat”: It’s made entirely from wheat gluten. And when it comes to
inflammation, gluten “can trigger the immune system, causing inflammation in
the intestinal tract,” explains Melissa Wood, nutritional health coach at The Morrison Center in New York City. And that can mean IBS,
constipation, or bloating for
some people.
5. Peanuts
Like milk, peanuts
are a common allergen—and allergies set off a broad inflammatory response in
the body while it struggles to fight off the foreign agent. Plus, peanuts are
prone to molds and fungus, which can also result in inflammatory reactions,
says Wood. So you may want to pass on the peanuts, and instead opt for raw
organic almonds or other tree nuts and butters, she advises.
6. Seasoning mixes
Short-cut seasoning
mixes may add an easy flavor burst to black bean tacos and salad dressings, but
according to Wood, they usually contain artificial coloring (which can disrupt
hormone function and lead to inflammation), and a big scoop of sugar. To get
the same taste without all the bad stuff, she recommends a combo of cayenne
pepper, sea salt, cracked pepper, and apple cider vinegar that you make
yourself.
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