Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response as it tackles foreign bodies. These external bodies may be physical, chemical, or pathogenic. The body’s ability to fight inflammation can reduce due to deficiencies in antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients, and physiological processes like aging. Therefore, it is important to consume foods that help reduce inflammation. Some foods that have anti-inflammatory properties include:

1. Turmeric
This healthful spice is abundantly used in curries and spicy dishes in Eastern cuisines. Besides adding color to food, you should note that turmeric is loaded with anti-inflammatory nutrients. It contains curcumin, which reduces the inflammatory markers in the cells. Consume turmeric with a little bit of pepper. Add it to curries and end or begin your day with a turmeric latte.

2. Fatty fish
Seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, lake trout, and herring, among other fatty fish, turn off pro-inflammatory genes in your body. They are also crucial to heart health. It is advisable to consume fatty fish roughly four times a week to lower inflammation.

3. Berries
Berries contain anthocyanins, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects. They also increase the production of natural killer (NK) cells, which help the immune system function properly. In addition, berries help lower the levels of inflammatory markers associated with certain heart problems.

4. Tomatoes
This vegetable is loaded with nutrients. Besides vitamin C and potassium, tomatoes have a high level of lycopene, an excellent nutrient with high anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking tomato juice has proved to be beneficial in reducing inflammation in the body. Consuming tomatoes can help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

5. Cherries
Cherries are packed with antioxidants that help temper inflammation. Consuming cherries has proven to reduce oxidative stress in the body and lower inflammation levels. Consume a cup of fresh tart cherries every day and decrease or increase the amount based on how your body reacts. You can even add them to yogurt, oatmeal, or sorbets. Avoid tinned or preserved cherries.

6. Grapes
Grapes are loaded with anthocyanins which are known to reduce inflammation. Consume grapes to improve your heart health, and reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and eye problems. In fact, the compound resveratrol found in grapes is prescribed as an anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce the risk of inflammation associated with various diseases.

7. Mushrooms
Edible mushrooms are rich in anti-inflammatory components like phenolic compounds, mycosteroids, fatty acids, carotenoids, and polysaccharides. They also possess properties that help fight cancer.

8. Avocados
Besides being a nutrient-dense superfood, avocados are also an excellent anti-inflammatory fruit that reduces inflammation in young skin cells. Avocados have various highly beneficial compounds that protect the body against inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer.

9. Green tea
It is not without reason that green tea is considered one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. Green tea contains a substance known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which benefits the body with its antioxidating and anti-inflammatory properties. It safeguards the cells against oxidative damage. EGCG also reduces inflammation by blocking cytokine production. (Cytokines are pro-inflammatory substances that are known to promote tissue damage.)