5 Best Anti-Inflammatory Carbs You Should Be Eating
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Did you know that chronic inflammatory disease cause more than half of all deaths worldwide? That's according to a 2019 article published in the journal Nature Medicine.
Inflammation is your body's way of protecting you from things like bacteria and viruses; it also aids in healing when you're harmed. It's a natural and helpful procedure. However, when inflammation persists over time, complications can arise. Chronic inflammation has been linked to disorders such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, and other illnesses.
However, you do have the ability to decrease inflammation by just being diligent about how you eat.
It's accurate to say that some carbohydrates can fuel inflammation. However, not every type of carbohydrate is the same. The primary offenders are the refined kinds, which can be found in meals like crackers, baked goods, cookies, white breads, and pastas.
Try incorporating these five anti-inflammatory carbs into your meal plan today.
Buckwheat
This gluten-free seed also contains the antioxidants rutin and quercetin. Buckwheat has anti-inflammatory properties as well as possible neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive properties. Antioxidants help defend your body from external invaders and the harm they can cause over time, which can lead to illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Antioxidant-rich foods can both help prevent and reduce inflammation.
Oats
Oats are a readily available whole grain that is present in the diets of numerous cultures. They not only add flavor to both sweet and savory recipes, but they are also shelf-stable and convenient to keep on hand.Additionally, oats may have anti-inflammatory properties. They have phenols in them that help the body fight free radicals. These free radicals can eventually cause inflammation.
Purple Potatoes
In spite of what you may have heard, potatoes are a fantastic supplement to a well-balanced diet. Purple potatoes and other colored potatoes have been shown to lower DNA damage and inflammation in healthy adult males. Phenols, anthocyanins, and carotenoids, a trio of potent antioxidants that work together to help the body get rid of those free radicals stated above, are responsible for the purple color.
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purple potatoes are a natural source of carbs that provide fiber, vitamins and unique antioxidants
Sorghum
Sorghum is an ancient grain that is naturally gluten-free and contains bioactive compounds that provide anti-inflammatory effects. The antioxidants in sorghum, like phenolic acids and flavonoids, fight off free radicals (those foreign invaders) that can cause damage over time, leading to diabetes, inflammation and other health conditions.
Spelt
Spelt is an ancient cousin of wheat that is widely used in German baking, according to Peterson. "It's lower in gluten than wheat flour, but still contains gluten. While spelt is not suitable for those living with celiac disease, people with wheat intolerances can often tolerate spelt.
Not only do you not have to avoid carbs, if you're looking to keep inflammation under control eating the right kind of carbs can actually help reduce inflammation.
Reference:
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8051740/best-anti-inflammatory-carbs/