Wear and tear, stress, lack of activity and even a diet high in saturated fats and carbohydrates can cause this feeling, and the solution lies in certain foods.
With the arrival of the heat, the body demands more than ever to get rid of anything it can to feel lighter (and we're not just talking about clothes). Of course, fighting the high temperatures becomes a complicated task that, coupled with the unpleasant feeling of bloating, can become impossible.
Wear and tear, stress, lack of activity and even a diet high in saturated fats and carbohydrates can cause this sensation. If you have been experiencing a constant feeling of heaviness in your body for some time, or permanent discomfort in your joints or ligaments, you need to pay attention to your body and start doing something about it.
Just as there are many reasons why your body is congested, there are also many ways to relieve it and, more importantly, prevent it from happening. In general, a varied diet and daily physical activity should be enough. When it comes to food, in fact, there are foods that can become your great allies thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties that will naturally make your summer more enjoyable. Here are some of them:
Olive oil
What more can be said than you already know. Among all the properties of olive oil, it also helps to eliminate bad cholesterol from our body, and as if that were not enough, it also protects the mucous membrane of the stomach, preventing inflammation.
No wonder it is one of the most popular home remedies for stomach ulcers. It also helps prevent constipation. There is no doubt that we could not start this list with any other food.
Green tea
It's not oil, but it's also green. This tea is known to have great properties that regulate or improve metabolism: it reduces the risk of heart disease and obesity. It could even help reduce the risk of cancer, a possibility already studied in the laboratory.
In addition, green tea contains antioxidants and a substance known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate. The latter significantly reduces inflammation and cell damage caused by fatty acids.
Chocolate
It's often talked about in a bad light, but there's a lot more to chocolate than its added versions. Pure chocolate is a food that has more advantages than disadvantages.
In addition to being delicious, it contains antioxidants that can keep the cells that line your arteries healthy, protecting your heart. So an ounce every now and then can reduce inflammation in your body.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most misunderstood spices in our country's cuisine, and it turns out we're missing out on a lot. In fact, it can reduce inflammation related to arthritis, diabetes, and other diseases, and relieve the typical symptoms of a cold (which we never experience at this time of year).
The website of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona points out that inflammation has been identified in the development of other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and cancer. Against this, curcumin, a dye rich in polyphenols present in turmeric, blocks one of the metabolic factors that promote inflammation, reducing the effects of certain diseases such as osteoarthritis or metabolic syndrome and, perhaps, preventing the onset of these diseases.
Strawberries
Strawberries are in season, and you can easily find the best quality strawberries at produce stores and supermarkets. And if you still don't think it's time, know that strawberries and other berries such as blueberries and raspberries can improve your inflammation. These berries contain antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which are full of anti-inflammatory properties.
Cherry
Cherries also contain large amounts of antioxidants such as anthocyanins and catechins, which help reduce inflammation. As explained by the organization Cerezas del Jerte, they have diuretic and depurative properties and, thanks to their antioxidant elements and mineral salts, they help to fix water in the cells of the body. Therefore, while reducing swelling, they act as a hydrating supplement for the skin and hair. They are also an important source of vitamins C, B and A. The best way to consume them for this purpose is in the form of juice.