It makes good sense to include lots of anti-inflammatory foods in your diet, as they will help ‘mop up’ all the reactive molecules produced during exercise, which inflame the muscles, slows recovery and can depress the immune system. Here are five of the best to include in your diet when training hard...
Red onion
Red onions are rich in quercetin, a powerful antioxidant also found in tea and apples. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory properties, making onion a worthwhile addition to salads and stir-fries.
Cayenne
Used in Chinese and Indian medicine to stimulate digestion, cayenne does more than give your food a fiery kick. Along with chilli and black pepper, it’s also renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Honey
Traditionally used as a wound dressing to promote healing, honey also contains a wide variety of nutrients, and is a perfect high-GI sugar for fast carb replenishment.
Pineapple
Pineapple isn’t just a good antiseptic, but also a worthwhile source of vitamins A, B and C. Plus, bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapple, helps in protein digestion
Purple grapes
Most fresh fruits are anti-inflammatory by nature, but none more so than purple grapes and berries. They’re rich in the potent antioxidants proanthocyanins, which are powerful anti-inflammatories.
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