Vegetables and fruits that cause inflammation. Inflammation is due to a few factors, one of them being our diet. Find out what foods to avoid if you are suffering from an inflammatory condition such as arthritis or asthma.
The following fruits and vegetables are known to cause inflammation when eaten in excess:
Tomatoes. Tomatoes are a healthy food, but they’re also high in salicylates, which can cause inflammation in some people.
Citrus fruit. Lemons, limes and oranges contain salicylates and are known to cause inflammation in some people.
Bananas. Bananas contain salicylates and also cause inflammation in some people.
Carrots. Carrots contain salicylates but don’t appear to have any other negative effects on health or digestive function.
Onions. Onions are high in sulfites and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and headaches when eaten in excess by people with sulfite intolerance or asthma
Fruits and vegetables are known for their health benefits, but some of these tasty treats can actually cause inflammation.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Inflammation is a natural part of the body’s immune response to injury or infection.” Inflammation can also occur when there are too many free radicals in your body or if you have an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Unfortunately, some fruits and vegetables are high in nutrients that cause inflammation. If you have RA, it’s important to monitor your intake of these foods so you can avoid unnecessary flare-ups.
The following foods should be avoided by people with RA:
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain lycopene, which helps prevent cancer but can also promote inflammation in joints affected by RA.
Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene and potassium — all nutrients that promote inflammation. These nutrients may even worsen symptoms if consumed regularly by people with RA.
Spinach: Spinaches contains vitamin K1 and K2, which can help prevent blood clots but can also cause inflammation in joints affected by RA.
Chocolate: Chocolate contains phytochemicals called flavonoids that may have anti-inflammatory effects on the body but
Some fruits and vegetables can cause inflammation in the body. These include:
Citrus fruits — especially grapefruit, oranges and tangerines
Tomatoes
Potatoes and other nightshades (eggplants, peppers, etc.)
Broccoli, kale and cauliflower
Garlic and onions
Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s immune response to injury or stress. The immune system sends white blood cells and other chemicals to the site of injury to help repair tissue and fight off harmful bacteria. But if inflammation goes unchecked, it can cause pain, swelling and stiffness.
Fruits and vegetables are a great way to add variety to your diet and get more vitamins, minerals and fiber. But some fruits and vegetables have been linked to increased inflammation in the body. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day for good heart health.
Here are some fruits and vegetables that may increase inflammation in the body:
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may help protect against certain cancers by neutralizing free radicals before they can damage cells. However, tomatoes also contain furanocoumarins, which may cause photosensitivity reactions when eaten with ultraviolet light exposure (sunlight). These reactions include sunburns or rashes after eating raw tomatoes or drinking tomato juice.
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit and tangerines contain vitamins C and A as well as flavonoids that may help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels
Inflammation is a natural process in the body, but it can lead to disease if it’s not controlled. Foods can be a big factor in how inflamed you are.
Inflammation is a response that helps your body fight off pathogens or damaged cells. But when it becomes chronic, it can cause serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and even cancer.
If you already have an inflammatory condition, such as arthritis or asthma, you should be especially careful about what you eat because certain foods can make your symptoms worse.
There are some vegetables and fruits that people with inflammatory conditions should avoid:
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain lycopene which can increase inflammation in the body. They’re also acidic and may aggravate acid reflux (GERD) symptoms, according to Harvard Medical School.
Onions: Onions have been shown to raise blood pressure in some people and cause heartburn when eaten raw or cooked with tomatoes (which are also on this list). In addition, their sulfide compounds may aggravate asthma symptoms when eaten raw or cooked with beans (another common trigger food).
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits contain salicylates which are known to aggravate skin
The following is a list of some of the most common inflammatory foods:
Vegetables and fruits that cause inflammation
The following fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and other nutrients, but they can also cause inflammation.
Tomatoes. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a carotenoid that helps prevent cancer. Lycopene is fat-soluble, so it’s best to eat tomatoes with olive oil for maximum benefit. Tomatoes are also high in vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K1. But if you have an autoimmune disease or are on a low-histamine diet, avoid tomatoes as they may be problematic for you.
Citrus fruits (grapefruit, oranges). Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which supports the immune system. Although citrus fruits have antioxidant properties similar to many vegetables, they do not appear to lower inflammation as much as some other foods do. If you notice bloating after eating oranges or grapefruit or experience heartburn when drinking orange juice or eating grapefruit, then these foods may cause inflammation for you personally. You may want to avoid them altogether if they’re causing significant problems or discomfort for you instead of just limiting your intake as much as possible while still enjoying them occasionally like
The following fruits and vegetables are known to cause inflammation in the body:
Strawberries
Oranges
Bananas
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Cucumbers
Peppers
Broccoli
Carrots
Grapes (red or green)
Onions and garlic
The following fruits and vegetables are best avoided on a low-inflammation diet.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup: This sweetener is made from cornstarch, which can cause inflammation in the body. High-fructose corn syrup is found in most processed foods — including soft drinks, candy, ketchup and cake mixes.
Trans Fatty Acids: Trans fat is an unnatural form of fat that increases inflammation in your body. It’s found in margarine spreads and vegetable shortenings that contain partially hydrogenated oils. It’s also used to keep cakes from becoming stale on store shelves.
Some Vegetables That Cause Inflammation:
Tomatoes: Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant believed to protect against cancer and heart disease. But when tomatoes are cooked at high temperatures or fried, their natural antioxidants break down into chemicals called oxalates that are known irritants for people with gout or arthritis. Other sources of lycopene include watermelon (1 cup), pink grapefruit (1/2 medium) and guava (1/2 cup).
Carrots: Carrots are rich in beta carotene, an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and may help prevent cancer development. But
Inflammation is the body’s natural defense system. It’s a vital part of the immune response, which is why it’s important to keep inflammation under control. Too much inflammation in your body can cause many health problems, including heart disease, arthritis and diabetes.
Inflammation occurs when white blood cells rush to the area of injury or infection to attack foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses. This causes redness, swelling and pain. Inflammation can also occur when you eat certain foods that are high in sugar or fat, since these substances cause oxidative stress on your body.
Here are some foods that are known to cause inflammation:
High-Sugar Foods
Sugar can increase your risk for insulin resistance and diabetes by causing spikes in blood sugar levels over time. High sugar levels also trigger an inflammatory response in your body by increasing levels of uric acid and C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a marker for inflammation that has been linked with heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure
(1).High-Fat Foods
Foods rich in saturated fat raise LDL cholesterol levels while lowering HDL cholesterol levels — both are risk factors for heart disease
(2). Additionally, eating too much saturated fat
Inflammation is a natural immune response that helps the body repair damage, but it can also cause pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty moving.
Inflammation can be triggered by a number of factors, including stress, injuries or infections.
The most common sources of inflammation in the body are:
Foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat
Excess alcohol consumption
Stress
Smoking
Certain medications such as steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin