Inflammation alert: 10 foods that might be making you feel worse

By Akanksha
July 15, 2025

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Find out 10 foods you must avoid to prevent inflammation

Inflammation can be understood as the body's response to an illness, injury or something that doesn't belong in it. When any foreign substance tries to enter the body, the immune system sends out its

Processed meats

Higher processed meat consumption such as bacon, hot dogs, sausages and more is linked to an increase in the inflammatory markers in the body such as C-reactive protein (CRP), as per the National Libr

Alcohol

One of the primary causes of inflammation is consuming alcohol. It causes loss of cell integrity, damages gut health and increases inflammatory markers in the body.

Red meats

Similar to processed meats, red meats such as steak are high in saturated fats and are known to increase the inflammatory markers in the body as per a study published in ScienceDirect.

Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame, Acesulfame potassium and Sucralose are known to trigger inflammation and alter normal metabolism, gut health and blood vessels in a way to promote type 2 diabe

Excess omega-6

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, omega-6 has polyunsaturated fatty acids that are used to increase inflammation in the body. The imbalance in the ratio of omega-3 an

Fried foods

Foods such as French fries, chicken, doughnuts and more are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, and contain trans fat which can trigger inflammation. As per researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, c

Refined carbohydrates

White bread, pastries and pasta are foods containing refined carbohydrates that affect the gut microbiota, a pathway through which inflammation is induced. An excessive consumption of these can lead t

Sweetened beverages

Foods with added sugars soda, candy and syrup not only raise blood pressure but also increase chronic inflammation both of which lead to heart disease and symptoms such as burning sensations and abdom

Trans fats

Trans fats found in products such as dairy and beef and some margarines raise LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein and plasma triglyceride levels. Intake of these was associated with plasma concentrations of

Ultra-processed foods

Frozen meals, chips, crackers, flavoured yogurts and more form a part of our daily life and unknowingly trigger inflammation. Prolonged consumption of these can damage tissue health and also present h

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