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12 Foods That Can Cause Inflammation

Updated on February 05, 2024

If you find yourself constantly battling inflammation, try eating less of these foods regularly.

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Steer Clear of These Foods

Inflammation is the root of a variety of issues from bloating to joint pain to more serious health conditions like cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s if it persists long-term. If you find yourself with mild inflammation or constantly battling it, the foods you eat may be part of the blame. Check your eating habits for these 12 inflammation-causing foods, and swap them with better choices.

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White Bread

Many Americans overdo it on refined carbohydrates like white bread. It’s not that carbs like bread are unhealthy, but rather eating high portions of white bread which can rack up many calories over time. This can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of variety of chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease, which is all triggered by inflammation.

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French Fries

Eating fries and other foods high in saturated fat can trigger inflammation in fat tissue, which is an indicator for heart disease, and can also worsen the inflammation associated with arthritis.

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Regular Soda

Added sugar is the inflammation-triggering culprit in soda. Women with higher inflammatory markers were found to drink more sugar-sweetened soft drinks compared to women who did not have high inflammatory markers, according to a study published in American Society for Clinical Nutrition that examined the eating pattern of women through the Nurses’ Health Study. Bottom line, stick with sparkling water instead.

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