12 Simple Ways to
Reduce Inflammation in a Day
In as little
as one day, you can lower inflammation and your risk of chronic disease.
Inflammation
has been all over the news recently, and with good cause. Adopting an
anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle can help you stay healthy and slow down
aging by reducing chronic inflammation, but research also shows that it can
lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's disease,
autoimmune illnesses, joint pain, and cancer.
The best the part about it? You don't have to wait months or even years to see benefits and
feel better! Small modifications you make today can reduce inflammation almost
immediately. Here's what you should do right away to begin experiencing the
health benefits.
Eat a
salad every single day.
Toss a bundle or two of leafy greens in your lunch bag or onto your
dinner plate. One of the most beneficial eating habits you can acquire is to
consume a cup of leafy greens each day, such as baby spinach, arugula, kale, or
lettuce. Thanks to antioxidants and bioactive chemicals that reduce
inflammation and prevent free radicals from causing new inflammation, these
leafy greens pack a powerful anti-inflammatory punch.
Avoid
being irritated
Instead of reaching for the vending machine or
sugary coffee drinks, reach for a fiber-rich snack with some protein, such as
apple slices and peanut butter, raw veggies and hummus, or a handful of almonds
and cheese cubes. The reason for this is because eating a balanced snack free
of added sweets and refined carbs is essential for maintaining regular blood
sugar levels, which helps you prevent cravings, hunger, and irritability. Not
only will this be more pleasant for others around you, but it will help reduce
inflammation in the body, which can contribute to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and
heart disease.
Go to sleep little
early
Disconnect
from Netflix and social media, and go to bed a little early. While it may seem
excessive, getting 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is recommended for
adults and we should all strive for that as our standard. Even in healthy
people, not getting enough sleep (6 hours or less) causes inflammation, which
raises the risk of metabolic disorders such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease, according to a study.
Take a walk with your
dog
Have you skipped your workout today? Take a quick circuit of
the block! While regular exercise is beneficial for treating and preventing
almost all health problems, there are times when a full-fledged workout is not
possible. However, according to the findings of a 2017 study, just 20 minutes
of activity can lower inflammatory blood indicators. So, lace up your boots and
get ready to go!
Spice up a bit
When you're preparing supper
tonight, look for ways to incorporate a little garlic or spice. Spices that are
fragrant and aromatic appear to have the ability to increase inflammation, but
evidence reveals they have the opposite effect. Garlic, as well as herbs and
spices including turmeric, rosemary, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, and fenugreek,
has been shown to reduce inflammation, which can contribute to heart disease,
brain degenerative diseases, cancer, and respiratory problems.
Take a break from consuming alcoholic beverages
Consider refraining for a few days
if you enjoy a nightly cocktail or glass of wine. Cutting down alcohol for a
short period of time (while also making other anti-inflammatory dietary and
lifestyle adjustments) helps the body settle down and lessen current
inflammation. While studies suggest that moderate alcohol use has some health
benefits, the problem is that it's all too simple to go from beneficial to
detrimental and inflammatory.
Substitute green tea for one cup of coffee
Consider replacing one cup of
coffee or other caffeinated drinks with a cup of green tea if you drink one to
three cups of coffee or other caffeinated drinks each day. Green tea leaves are
high in polyphenol chemicals, which can help prevent additional inflammation by
reducing free radical damage. According to studies, drinking green tea on a
regular basis can help reduce your chances of Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and
joint problems.
Be careful with your gut
Probiotics have received a lot of
attention, but are you supporting the healthy microorganisms that already exist
in your body? Cut out added sugars and trans fats, and focus on eating mostly
whole, minimally processed foods to protect your healthy bacteria. It's also
important to eat probiotic-rich foods on a daily basis, such as yogurt,
sauerkraut, kombucha, miso, or kimchi. One of the cornerstones of long-term
inflammation reduction is strengthening the gut's microbial barrier.
Consider going on a fast
Although intermittent fasting (IF)
isn't for everyone, research continues to show that it has health benefits,
owing to the anti-inflammatory properties of the eating pattern. Fasting can be
done in a variety of ways, but a 12-hour fast is a good place to start. If you
complete dinner at 7:00 p.m., you can only drink water or black coffee until
7:00 a.m. the next day. According to studies, performing IF on a daily basis
can lower your risk of heart disease and enhance insulin sensitivity, cognitive
health, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Remove dairy and gluten from your diet (temporarily)
In healthy people, dairy and gluten
aren't normally inflammatory (unless you have an allergy, intolerance, or
celiac disease), but they can irritate inflammation that already exists. For a
few weeks, some people may find it advantageous to avoid dairy, gluten, or both
while eating a diet strong in anti-inflammatory foods and low in inflammatory
foods. This provides the body time to “calm down,” according to the theory.
After that, you can gradually introduce dairy or gluten-containing meals to see
if they irritate you.
Relax and unwind
Low-grade inflammation won't go
away no matter how good your diet is if your stress levels are consistently
elevated. Even if stress isn't a regular issue, knowing how to handle and cope
with it when it does arise is critical for preventing new inflammation. Finding
healthy ways to relieve stress, such as practicing yoga, meditating, or taking a
brief walk, provides immediate psychological relief as well as
anti-inflammatory physiological effects.
When it comes to ingredients, be picky
Take a look at the ingredient list
on products in your pantry and fridge. Additives, colors, preservatives, and other
substances commonly added to foods all have the potential to cause or aggravate
inflammation—especially if you have a thinner gut barrier—so take a look. Are
the items stated what you would use if you were making the cuisine at home from
a recipe? If you answered yes, this is a lightly processed product that is a
good choice. If not, choose a different brand or substitution the next time you
go shopping.
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