5 amazing Foods That Cause Inflammation

Dear friends, Any number of things (genetics, pollution, stress) can cause chronic inflammation, but the factor you have most control over is—you guessed it!—diet. While you can load up on these foods that help counter inflammation, knowing which inflammation-inducing foods to scale back on is just as important. Here are 5 surprising offenders.

1-Red wine

Okay, so a little wine is no problem: Moderate alcohol consumption (one 5-ounce glass of wine per day for women and two for men) has actually been shown to lower blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation in the body. But anything more than moderate drinking has been shown to increase levels of CRP.

2-Agave syrup

Despite its reputation as a natural and healthy alternative to table sugar, you probably shouldn't drown your morning oatmeal in agave syrup. This sweetener is comprised of about 85% fructose, which is a kind of sugar that only your liver cells can break down (glucose, by comparison, can be metabolized by every cell in your body). Going overboard on all types of sugar is a recipe for inflammation, but too much fructose in particular puts a strain on the liver, causing the accumulation of tiny fat droplets in your liver cells. This buildup, called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, can eventually cause inflammation that impairs the liver's functioning. (Check out this ranking of popular natural sweeteners to see what you should use instead).

3-"Vegetable" oils

Refined cooking oils (corn, soybean, sunflower, and safflower oils, which are sometimes labeled simply as "vegetable" oil) are highly concentrated sources of omega-6 fatty acids. These are essential fats that we need to consume, but most experts say we eat far too many omega-6s (found in these oils and many processed foods) and not enough omega-3s (found mostly in seafood). Why it matters: The body uses these fats to create hormones, and while the hormones derived from omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, the hormones derived from omega-6s are pro-inflammatory.

Remember: We need to have some level of inflammatory response to help fight infections and heal injuries. But excessive omega-6 consumption can lead to excess inflammation—so don't retire your trusty olive oil in favor of vegetable anytime soon. (And try one of these fresh seafood recipes to get more omega-3s in your diet!)

4-Red meat

Again, some red meat is fine—it's a good source of protein along with B vitamins, iron, zinc, and other important nutrients. But it's also a major source of saturated fat in the American diet, which is where the trouble lies: "Excess saturated fat does promote inflammation," Geyer says, "in part because it has a negative impact on the integrity of the gut lining." This damage to the gut lining means that bacteria can escape from your gut via tiny holes and into your bloodstream, where they trigger an inflammatory response. Bottom line: It's not wise to eat burgers daily. (And when you do buy red meat, this is the only kind you should buy).

5-Too much of anything

It's not just the quality of your food that matters—it's the quantity. Interleukin-6, a protein secreted by white blood cells that triggers an inflammatory response, is made in belly fat, "meaning, if you eat more calories than you need, even from high-quality food, and you gain weight around your middle, you can still end up with inflammation," says Geyer. "Weight gain itself is a contributor."Thanks,for reading my article for more visit www.healthuneed.blogspot.com