Nutrition is a part of overall health, and a great way to recover faster from your home workout is with anti-inflammatory foods. Here is a brief overview of the benefits of eating anti-inflammatory foods before or after exercise, as well as a few examples of foods with anti-inflammatory properties.
What are anti-inflammatory foods?
Anti-inflammatory foods are foods that have the ability to reduce or slow damage to your body caused by environmental factors, stress, and aging. Too much inflammation results in serious chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes.
Anti-inflammatory foods are typically antioxidant-rich sources of nutrition. Olive oil, vegetables, fish, and green vegetables are great examples of anti-inflammatory foods. These are able to have a very positive impact on your overall health and well-being.
1. Anti-inflammatory foods slow aging
Research demonstrates that inflammation in the body is a major accelerant of aging. This is due to damage caused by radical oxygen species in the body. In all parts of the body, including even the eyes, reactive oxygen species are demonstrated to cause inflammation and aging. A study looking at the retina has discovered that reactive oxygen species cause damage to the retina over time.
These anti-inflammatory foods work by restoring antioxidant activity and other critical components of overall health. Free radicals cause damage to DNA and living cells through chemical interactions. Anti-inflammatory foods have Antioxidants that are able to absorb these damage-causing free radicals to prevent further damage.
2. Anti-inflammatory foods are a mood booster
A significant component of mood is nutrition, as there is a clear link between nutrition and improved mood. Your intestines have receptors for serotonin, a chemical that your body uses in order to regulate your mood. When anti-inflammatory foods are absorbed by the intestines, your body’s serotonin levels get a major boost. As added evidence of the benefits of anti-inflammatory foods, processed foods have the opposite effect.
3. Anti-inflammatory foods help your body heal faster
Anti-inflammatory foods are great for helping your body counteract the effects of chronic disease. Inflammation is the body’s response to being injured. Over time, too much inflammation is what causes chronic heart, brain, lung, and liver diseases. Because anti-inflammatory foods support the immune system, this means that your body is able to recover quickly from illnesses or even exercise. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory foods are able to lower cholesterol levels.
As you know, exercise puts a lot of stress on the body. You are probably very familiar with the post-workout aches and pains that you may experience. The reason why you feel this way is because of the stress caused by exercise. Anti-inflammatory foods counteract these effects by reducing post-workout inflammation.
Citrus
Citrus fruits (Oranges, Limes, and Lemons) are a rich source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants. These vitamins are able to absorb the damage-causing free radicals. The Vitamin C found in citrus fruits is also critical to the functioning of your immune system.
Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables are always a very rich source of antioxidants. Kale is a widely recognized source of antioxidants. It is packed with Vitamins A, C, and K as well as carotenoids. Leafy green vegetables are always a great source of nutrition as natural superfoods.
Spices
Turmeric is another common source of antioxidants. As a spice, it’s known for its powerful free-radical absorbing abilities. It has also been demonstrated to improve memory and overall cognitive health on top of its antioxidant benefits
Incorporating antioxidants into your diet is the best way to improve your health. If you’re looking for a way to improve your nutrition and recover quickly from exercise – add antioxidants to your diet!
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