The 7 Best Teas To Reduce Inflammation, According To Nutritionists

What is inflammation?

“At its simplest, inflammation is a protective response by the body. When the immune system detects an invader or an injury, the immune system, various blood proteins, and the cardiovascular system react to eliminate the problem,” says Stephanie Dunne, MS, RDN, IFNCP at Nutrition Q.E.D. “In other words, inflammation is a response to something harmful or damaged in the body.”

Symptomatically, inflammation can show up in numerous ways, including fever, sore throat, bruising and swelling, fatigue, mood swings, body aches, headaches, skin disorders, decreased thyroid function, and irregular bowel movements, to name a few.

What causes inflammation?

There are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic. According to Dunne, acute inflammation is most commonly caused by an “invader or injury.” Acute inflammation sets in quicker than chronic inflammation, often presenting within minutes or hours. Causes of acute inflammation can include physical injury, infections, and hypersensitivities like allergic reactions.

“Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is much harder to identify and resolve,” says Dunne. “Chronic inflammation sets in slowly, sometimes taking months or years to take hold, and the signs are more subtle, less specific, and systemic.”

Causes of chronic inflammation include prolonged exposure to toxins, persistent infections, smoking, heavy alcohol use, over-exercising, chronic use of certain medications, and consuming foods that damage the digestive tract.

The lasting effects of chronic inflammation are much more severe than that of acute inflammation, too. Many conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, ADHD, autoimmune disease, diabetes, and depression have been linked in part to chronic inflammation.

How can I treat inflammation?

According to Varsha Khatri, RDN at Prowise Healthcare, modifying your plans for your diet, exercise, rest, and stress management can help decrease chronic inflammation. Dietary changes are a great place to start.

“The introduction of foods containing anti-inflammatory nutrients and the exclusion of pro-inflammatory foods, for instance, processed sugar and trans fats, is essential,” she says.

In addition to anti-inflammatory foods, drinking teas for inflammation is an easy way to keep you feeling your best in the day-to-day. Below, find the best teas our experts recommend for fighting inflammation!