Foods That Fight Inflammation

Inflammation is like salt. A pinch is a good thing, but get a tad too much and it ruins everything. Acute inflammation, your body’s response to a cut or pathogens entering the body, protects your body from harm. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, has been linked to everything from acne and allergies, to intestinal issues, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, and joint pain, says Mark Hyman, MD, chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine and the author of the 10-Day Detox Diet.

You’d have to live in a bubble to avoid all its sources: saturated fats, sugar, stress, infections, and environmental toxins, but you can create balance by eating a diet rich in foods that fight inflammation-triggering free radicals and toxins. Anything that springs up from the ground can only help, but you’ll especially want to keep these 10 powerhouse foods in heavy rotation.