Anti-Inflammatory Functional Foods

CHARU GUPTA; CONSUELO PACHECO; DHAN PRAKASH

Nutraceuticals and Innovative Food Products for Healthy Living and Preventive Care

IGI Global

Año: 2017; p. 48 - 78

Chronic inflammation is caused by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective mechanismsand has been linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer?s, type-2diabetes and arthritis. Current medications include treatment with steroids that reduce inflammationor swelling. Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause several side effectsand in extreme cases can cause severe haemorrhage and renal effects. There are other various antiinflammatorynutrients which reduce the level of these biomarkers. The polyphenols show significantanti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-DNA damaging effects. Anti-inflammatory foods such as wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, which provide valuable antioxidant polyphenols, resveratrol, lycopene,phytosterols, curcuminoids, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, phenolic acids, alleviates inflammation,as well as strengthening the immune system. The present chapter would thus focus on the phytochemicalsof nutraceutical importance for combating inflammation naturally.