12/01/2026
The foods you eat can significantly affect inflammation in different parts of your body.
•Processed sugars & refined carbs•
High amounts of processed sugars, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, have been linked to increased inflammation in the body. Processed sugars eats away the intestinal wall & end up ‘inflamming’ your bloodstream. Heavy alcohol consumption may increase inflammation and lead to a “leaky gut” that drives inflammation throughout your body. Watch out for undercover sugar culprits in: crackers, granola bars, salad dressings, cereals, etc.
•Some meat & dairy products•
Conventional dairy from cow products work on the gut like antibiotics which may cause gut issues in humans. It is essential to avoid dairy during anti-inflammatory diet. Processed meat is high in inflammatory compounds like advanced glycation end (AGEs), and its strong association with colon cancer may partly be due to an inflammatory response. Not all meat/dairy are culprits, but definitely a high daily intake will cause inflammation.
•Gluten•
Gluten is a family of proteins found in wheat. One group of proteins found in wheat, amylase-trypsin inhibitors (ATIs), has been shown to trigger an immune response in the gut that can spread to other tissues in the body. The immune response they induce significantly affects the lymph nodes, kidneys, spleen, and brain, causing inflammation. ATIs have also been suggested to exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), asthma, lupus, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as inflammatory bowel disease.
•Trans fats•
Food manufacturers create trans fats through the process of hydrogenation. Adding hydrogen to fat changes its texture, consistency and shelf life. Shortening is a classic example of a trans fat. Find them in restaurant foods and baked goods such as cookies, pastries and crackers. Trans fats thickens the blood and raises the bad cholesterol (LDL-levels), increasing the risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (blood clot, stroke, heart attack). Scientists also believe that certain vegetable oils, such as soybean/corn oil, promote inflammation due to their very high omega-6 fatty acid content.