Pro-Inflammatory Foods

These foods consistently promote inflammation in research:

• Added sugar — triggers inflammatory cytokines and feeds inflammatory gut bacteria
• Refined carbohydrates — white bread, pastries, and processed grains spike blood sugar and insulin
• Trans fats — found in partially hydrogenated oils, they directly switch on inflammatory genes
• Processed meats — bacon, sausages, and hot dogs promote oxidative stress

These foods are not poison. The dose makes the toxin, and the occasional serving is fine. But when they form the foundation of daily eating, chronic inflammation follows.