Did you know that inflammation is among the root causes of major diseases? Cancer, arthritis, diabetes and obesity are only among the serious medical conditions that stems out from inflammation. This explains why experts and health enthusiasts are pushing for anti-inflammatory diet to minimize risks.

If you love your health and you want to live longer, now is the right time to start paying attention to what goes inside your body. And if you want to save yourself from all those expensive medical bills and prescription drugs, here are five of the many foods you have to limit or avoid to prevent inflammation.

White flour baked goods

Did you know that white flour is converted into white sugar once it reaches your mouth? Every time you eat anything made of white flour, the starches will break into the sugars immediately, causing your blood sugar to rise up exponentially. Aside from this, white flour has high gluten content, making it difficult for some people to digest it which can lead to inflammation.

Red meat and processed meat

According to a study conducted at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, red meat contains Neu5Gc, a molecule which humans don’t naturally produce. This means that every time you eat red meat, your body develops anti-Neu5Gc antibodies or your body’s immune response that can trigger chronic inflammatory response.

And if you’re still not convinced, the 2007 report by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research disclosed that processed meat is among the primary causes of colon and rectum cancer.

Cola

Bad news Coke and Pepsi lovers. The caramel coloring in brown cola has a chemical called 4-methylimidazole which is derived from ammonia – and it is banned in a lot of countries but not in the US. Aside from this, a regular 12-ounce can of cola has nine teaspoons of sugar which can spike your insulin and cause chronic inflammation.

Common cooking oils

Every time you cook something, you will always need cooking oil to complete your meal. More bad news people. Most common vegetable cooking oils that are stocked in your kitchen cabinet and are used in most homes and restaurants have high Omega-6 fatty acids and low Omega-3 fatty acids. Yes, you need fatty acids but an imbalance between these two promotes inflammation and a breeding ground for serious inflammatory diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Feedlot-raised meat 

There will always be a massive difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef. And sadly, most commercially-produced meats are fed with grains such as soy bean and corn – a diet that strikes an imbalance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This means excess fat and translates to high saturated fats too. Aside from grains, cows are injected with hormones and fed with antibiotics to help them grow faster and prevent them from getting sick.

The foods in this list are only some of the many foods that can cause inflammation. Therefore, watch what you eat and be careful with what goes inside your body. If you can say no or look for alternatives, then you should do so. The last thing you need is having a staycation in the hospital for a long period of time.