Chronic inflammation occurs when the body produces inflammatory substances systemically and persistently. These substances can be measured and some of them come from the food we eat.
To assess the degree of inflammation we use clinical blood tests, which allow us to see which inflammatory substances are being produced and which are present in the body. In addition, there are other factors that allow us to assess the degree of inflammation, such as morphological characteristics in terms of body composition measurements and symptomatology.
Symptoms associated with chronic inflammation include tiredness, feelings of bloating, headaches, difficulty sleeping, poor digestion, impaired intestinal transit, among others.
There are different degrees of inflammation, which can be divided into mild, moderate and severe. It is normal for everyone to have some degree of inflammation due to the conditions to which they are subjected and exposed on a daily basis.
Given that the body is constantly becoming inflamed, it is essential to have a strategy to help it deflate repeatedly and effortlessly, and this should be seen as a natural process. It is in this strategy that the importance of adopting an adequate and personalized diet comes into play, taking into account the characteristics of each individual. Summer is no exception.
In hot weather, there is a greater tendency to drink liquids and here we need to be careful. Drinking alcoholic beverages and drinks with high levels of sugar can cause inflammation, especially when consumed in large quantities.
For example, grape skins are rich in resveratrol, an antioxidant substance that is important in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and which is also present in red wine. A glass of red wine can be anti-inflammatory, yet in an already inflamed body it becomes inflammatory, as it will contribute to a greater burden on the liver.
This doesn't mean that you can't have a glass of wine, but that you should balance your diet and compensate, for example, by exercising in the following days and drinking plenty of water.
Drinks with more sugar are easily absorbed and promote glycation, which causes the body to fall ill more quickly, inflame and age the skin, hair, teeth and organs.
A good choice of refreshing, anti-inflammatory drinks for the summer are spiced teas with no added sugar.
In terms of snacks, snails are an excellent protein food, as long as you don't eat too much bread and opt for anti-inflammatory drinks.
When it comes to seafood, we know that there are some that are healthier than others because of the way they are raised. An excellent option could be, for example, clams well seasoned with two anti-inflammatory elements such as coriander and olive oil.
Other options could be octopus salad, roe salad, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, fish, which is rich in omega-3, accompanied by salads and vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables, which can also be used in smoothies.
Anti-inflammatory fruits include grapes, as mentioned above, apples, preferably unpeeled, and red berries.
Given this, diet combined with physical activity and good stress management play a major role in reducing chronic inflammation, improving the body's well-being and promoting anti-aging.
Everyone's body is different, so the most important thing is to have a proper assessment and follow-up so that you can find the best strategies for you and your well-being.
Each body is different, so the diet, supplementation and exercise to be implemented must be personalized and appropriate for each person.
