Inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to an acute or chronic stressor – typically an illness or an injury.

In small doses it helps to protect the body and speed up the healing process, however when inflammation persists over a prolonged time period, it can have the opposite effect.

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to an acute or chronic stressor – typically an illness or an injury. In small doses it helps to protect the body and speed up the healing process, however when inflammation persists over a prolonged time period, it can have the opposite effect.

Chronic inflammation results in pain and discomfort, and what’s more it underpins many of the most common degenerative diseases we see today, including heart disease and cancer. Thankfully there are many different ways in which we can keep our inflammation levels under control, one of the most effective of which being our diet.

In this article we’ll share with you ten of the best beverages that you can consume to bring your inflammation levels back to normal, so you can resume your healthy way of living.

1. Tart Cherry Juice

Tart cherry juice is popular amongst runners and other athletes who want improve their recovery times and reduce muscle soreness after a hard workout.

The cherries are rich in anthocyanins, pigments that help to bring down inflammation levels. They also contain a wide range of anti-oxidant compounds that protect the cells from free radical damage and premature ageing.

2. The Food Babe’s Anti Inflammatory Smoothie

Smoothies are all the rage lately, and rightly so.

They’re a great way to pack in plenty of health promoting produce, rich in important vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Smoothies also come in a pre-digested state, meaning they generally place less strain on your digestive system.

The Food Babe’s Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie is jammed full of foods that will help to being down your inflammation levels and reduce the pain associated with it.

First up is ginger, one of the most potent anti-inflammatory foods available that has been shown to be as effective as NSAIDs (if not more so) in lowering inflammation and pain.

The smoothie also contains a good helping of alkaline forming greens that will help to bring the body away from an acid, inflammatory state where diseases thrive.

And last but not least we have plenty of berries, which as mentioned above are packed full of anti-inflammatory anthocyanins and antioxidants.

3. Simple Lemon and Water

A really simple, healthy way to start the day.

Lemon water helps to alkalise the system, reducing acidity and bringing down inflammation levels. It also helps to improve digestion, and can even improve liver function.

4. Beet Juice

Another favourite amongst athletes and weekend warriors.

Not only does beet juice help to bring down inflammation, it also increases oxygen uptake, meaning you can work harder for longer.

It has also been linked to lower blood pressure, and is rich in a wide range of health promoting micronutrients.

5. Turmeric Tea

Turmeric is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory foods known to man.

It contains the compound curcumin, which as well as providing turmeric with its characteristic yellow colour also has potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Researchers at the University of Maryland explain that, “Curcumin lowers the levels of two enzymes in the body that cause inflammation. It also stops platelets from clumping together to form blood clots.”

6. Pineapple Juice

As well as tasting great, pineapple contains a potent anti-inflammatory enzyme called bromelain. It is often used after surgery to reduce pain, swelling and bruising.

It may also help to aid digestion and reduce congestion associated with sinusitis.

Check out Johnny Bowden’s recipe, which combines pineapple with lemon and omega-3s for an added health boost.

7. Aloe Vera Elixir

Aloe vera has long been used to bring down inflammation and soothe the heat associated with it. Research has also looked into its efficacy in treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and colitis.

Check out Young and Raws aloe vera elixir, which combines the soothing plant with the alkalising effect of lemons and apple cider vinegar, and the anti-inflammatory properties of mint and basil.

8. Lemon-Turmeric Tonic

Another simple mix of potent anti-inflammatory foods.

As mentioned above, turmeric is rich in the anti-inflammatory compound curcumin, and lemons have an alkalising effect on the body, reducing overall inflammation.

Follow the recommendations by the guys at Mind Body Green to create a simple lemon turmeric tonic.

9. The Super Smoothie

Much like the Food Babe’s anti-inflammatory smoothie, Health Room’s super smoothie is jam-packed full of goodness.

There are beets, greens, bananas, berries, nuts, seeds, and more. A healthy, alkalizing breakfast option that’s packed full of phytonutrients and fibre.

10. Carrot Juice

Carrots are another great alkalising food that can help to bring down inflammation levels. They are also rich in vitamin A, crucial for maintaining clear skin and ocular health.

Check out A Tasty Love Story’s immune boosting anti-inflammatory juice, filled with carrots, lemons, apples, oranges and ginger.