May 09, 2017
Some of us are serious athletes, some of us like to go for a nice run on the weekend, and some of us just play a game of pickup basketball once in a while. But everyone who takes part in athletic activity has a common enemy: inflammation. Inflammation is part of your body's response to injury or infection. In the short term, it’s a good thing. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it's a problem.
Inflammation is the common thread of all chronic disease. And for athletes, inflammation gets in the way of performance and recovery. When your joints or muscles are constantly inflamed, you won't perform your best. And it will hurt.
A huge way you can fight chronic inflammation is through the food you eat. Some foods promote inflammation, but others are anti-inflammatory. For tips on eating to reduce inflammation and boost athletic performance, we turned a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist. Here's the best advice.
(Before we begin, here's a little secret: These tips are good for anyone who wants to prevent or heal from chronic disease, not just for athletes.)