Foods That Cause Inflammation 

There are many foods out there that cause inflammation, but today we’re going to focus on the top seven offenders: milk, cheese, red meat, mayonnaise, coffee creamer, alcohol, and butter. . These are all common foods that many people consume, but sometimes at the expense of human health. Many of these foods cause inflammation because they are high in saturated and trans fats. 

Top 7 Inflammatory Foods 

We recommend avoiding these 7 foods that induce inflammation. In addition, it is important to note that ultra-processed foods like fast food, frozen meals, and processed meats have been linked to inflammation as well. So let’s dig a little deeper.

1. Milk: Although milk has long been touted as healthy, it is a common allergen that can trigger inflammatory responses in the body. Some of those include IBS, skin rashes, hives, difficulty breathing, and acne. 
2. Cheese: Cheese contains milk, which is a common allergen that triggers highly inflammatory responses. 
3. Red Meat: Research shows that both red meats and processed meats are high in saturated fat, which leads to inflammation. 
4. Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise typically has a high omega-6 content which leads to chronic inflammation. 
5. Coffee Creamer: Coffee creamers contain a high concentration of milk, which is a common allergen that triggers inflammatory responses. 
6. Alcohol: Regular high consumption of alcohol has been known to cause irritation and inflammation of the larynx (voice box), esophagus, and liver. 
7. Butter: Butter is made from churned milk or cream, and the animal fats in it have higher levels of saturated and trans fats, triggering inflammatory responses. 

How Does Food Cause Inflammation?

It is important to know which foods cause inflammation – and how – so that you can avoid those foods and instead consume anti-inflammatory foods that promote health. 

What Is Inflammation? 

“Inflammation is a double-edged sword,” said Dr. Vivian Chen, a former allopathic doctor who now teaches and empowers individuals to take charge of their own health and healing via Plateful Health. “In the acute situation, for example, if you have a cut or you burn yourself, acute inflammation brings the necessary cells to the wound to help the body repair and regenerate. In an ideal world, once the body has healed, the inflammation calms down and the body goes back to harmony.” This is how inflammation works in the body, so it can be a good and positive thing at times. 

What Does Inflammation Do To The Body? 

The risk with inflammation comes when the inflammation doesn’t go away, and it instead turns into chronic inflammation “where the body thinks there is still (healing) work to be done and keeps sending inflammatory cells into tissues. This is when chronic diseases and pain can ensue because the inflammatory messengers can recruit cells that cause tissue damage, disrupt hormonal signaling, and release with a whole host of symptoms such as eczema, fatigue, and arthritis,” says Dr. Vivian Chen. That is why it is important to know what foods cause inflammation so that you can avoid them. 

Why Should I Avoid Inflammatory Foods? 

Experts have linked long-term and chronic inflammation to many conditions including  heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and more. In fact, over time chronic inflammation can promote tumor growth, making it especially dangerous in the promotion of cancer cells.

How To Reduce Inflammation 

Due to the negative health risks that chronic inflammation can lead to, it is important to know how to fight inflammation. Removing animal products, including dairy, from your diet is an important first step. Thankfully, Switch4Good is here to help you along the journey!