Inflammation can be triggered in the body by several factors, such as an injury, allergy, infection, or an underlying health condition. Many people resort to OTC drugs to keep this inflammation under control. However, the best medicine is a healthy diet. Yes, you can successfully keep the problem at bay by including inflammation-fighting foods in your diet. Here, we discuss some of the best inflammation-fighting foods you can consider.

1. Berries
Berries are loaded with all the essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber. You can pick a variety of berries. However, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries are the most common inflammation-fighting foods. These berries have anthocyanins – antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties.

A study conducted on men found that those who consumed blueberries daily produced more natural killer cells than those who did not. Another study conducted on overweight people showed that those who included strawberries in their diet had lower specific inflammatory markers related to heart diseases. So it is safe to say that berries can help you fight inflammation.

2. Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable known for its high nutritional value. Although some do not like its taste, research has shown that eating this vegetable is associated with a lowered risk of cancer and heart disease. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables contain antioxidants, the reason behind their anti-inflammatory effects. Sulforaphane, a type of sulfur-rich compound found in broccoli, reduces inflammation by lowering NF-kB and cytokine levels in your body.

3. Raw nuts
Nuts like almonds and walnuts reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart diseases. These nuts are loaded with healthy fats, such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. However, to fight inflammation, you should only consume raw nuts. The ones that have oil or salt added to them might not be as beneficial to fight inflammation. You can eat the nuts directly, add them to your morning bowl of cereal, or drop them in milkshakes or smoothies.

4. Extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil contains all the healthy fats that your body needs. It is loaded with monosaturated fats and is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, which has many health benefits. Some studies have associated extra virgin olive oil consumption with a lowered risk of severe conditions like brain cancer and heart diseases. A study conducted on the Mediterranean diet found that people who had 50ml of extra virgin olive oil had reduced CRP and some other inflammatory markers in their body.

These are only the most common anti-inflammatory foods. Some other inflammation-fighting foods include fatty fish, turmeric, green tea, and avocados, among others. Remember that it is always best to consult a doctor before making significant changes in your diet.